The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has signed a contract to become the official sponsor of The International Propeller Club – UAE Chapter.

The sponsorship is part of an initiative undertaken by DMCA to support the grassroots development of the maritime sector within the UAE and the region and raise awareness about the importance of waterborne activities in the overall progress of the society.

The sponsorship ceremony was attended by John Ewing, chief commercial officer, DMCA; Badir Almusharrekh, DMCA planning manager; and Thomas Burke, chairman of The Propeller Club, who is an international maritime expert and a former Commissioner of the Panama Canal.

’Dubai Maritime City Authority is committed to support all efforts that aim to promote and consolidate the UAE and region’s maritime sector.

’The Propeller Club is a globally recognised organisation that shares DMCA’s mission of energising and enhancing the maritime community.

’It is important that we cultivate such private sector-driven initiatives as it is our aim to strengthen our ties with all members of the maritime industry.

’We are thus pleased to affirm our commitment to be the official sponsor of The Propeller Club,’ said Almusharrekh.

Burke, said: ’The International Propeller Club has been established with the primary purpose of generating interest towards the enhancement of the maritime sector.

’Part of our strategy is to partner with governmental institutions and other like-minded private organisations to boost the effectiveness of our campaigns and programmes.

’In line with this, we are honoured to have Dubai Maritime City Authority as a sponsor of our organisation in the UAE.’

The International Propeller Club is a grassroots, non-profit organisation with over 10,000 members worldwide.

The club consists of 82 chapters (ports) of which 55 are in the USA and 27 in other parts of the world.

The club organises various educational and professional programmes that promote the maritime industry and raise public awareness of the importance of waterborne commercial activities.

DMCA, under its new identity ’Raseina’, has been granted authority by the Dubai Government to regulate the emirate’s maritime sector.

Its responsibilities include the issuance of registrations and licenses to all maritime-related activities in Dubai.

Dubai Maritime City, the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre, incorporates a full range of industrial, commercial, residential and leisure facilities distributed in six distinct districts: Harbour Offices, Harbour Residences, Maritime Centre, Dubai Maritime City Campus, Marina District, and the Industrial Precinct.

The mega development is renowned for its pro-environment policy wherein all projects within the maritime complex are required to obtain green building certification to ensure energy conservation and optimised living conditions.

Membership to The International Propeller is open to all maritime professionals. Those seeking more information may contact ctburke08@aol.com. - TradeArabia News Service