A total of 33 participants from 11 countries are attending a regional workshop in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which is being organised by the Federal Transportation Authority - Land and Maritime (FTA) in conjunction with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The three-day workshop on ‘Assessing, Authorizing and Monitoring Recognized Organizations’ will conclude today (November 2), said a statement from the organisation.

The workshop, held under patronage of Abu Dhabi Ports and in collaboration with IMO, is part of continuous efforts to coordinate and share knowledge for developing maritime management tools and mechanisms that can help regulate and monitor maritime transportation, the services provided by marine classification societies, and the issuance of statutory certificates to vessels, said a statement from the organisation, it added.

It aims to cover all aspects related to ensuring the safety of lives at sea and the application of the best international standards for control and management as well as maritime transportation services, it said.

In his opening statement, Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the FTA, emphasised the importance of the workshop in exploring the world’s best practices needed to monitor, direct, and provide best-in-class maritime transportation services through continuous cooperation, communication and sharing of knowledge and expertise.

Al Nuaimi said that the session will help in developing important maritime management activities and tools for regulating and monitoring maritime transportation; reaching consensus on international best practices; and applying the best international standards for control and management as well as the provision of maritime transportation services.

He continued: “The collaboration between the UAE and the IMO is part of comprehensive efforts to develop and improve the role of the UAE’s maritime transportation enablers in the UAE and the country’s participation in supporting the IMO’s activities.”

“This is in line with the wise vision of our leadership to shape the future of a world-class maritime sector and move towards artificial intelligence and innovation in invigorating and augmenting all present and future maritime activities, including those related to maritime transportation,” he added.

The minister further pointed out that rapid developments in the UAE’s maritime transportation activities are paving the way for the UAE to confidently and rightfully assume a central position as one of the world’s leading maritime hubs as well as maintain its contributions and active role in the IMO.

He also highlighted a number of factors that have led the UAE to enjoy its leading maritime position, such as its coastal advantage at the regional and international levels due to its strategic geographic location; modern communications technology; world-class infrastructure; the latest marine vessels and channels; and logistics and electronic connectivity, including naval fleets that support international maritime trade in transporting goods and passengers.

Al Nuaimi said that the FTA will intensify its efforts to achieve several objectives, foremost of which is boosting the performance of physical and human aspects to raise and the levels of maritime safety, maritime security and the protection of the marine environment across the sector’s different activities.

He added that the authority aims to double the UAE’s  economic benefits from maritime transportation by applying international maritime standards; adopting a corporate methodology based on synergy among all maritime stakeholders in terms of providing resources and expertise; as well as developing maritime transportation in collaboration with organisations and corporations concerned with maritime transport, seaports and related services and activities as well as shipping services in accordance with the world’s best practices and standards.

Al Nuaimi said: “In a further step towards excellence in the UAE’s maritime landscape, the FTA, along with its partners and stakeholders, has begun developing a plan to maintain communication and continue the development of different performance indicators.”

“This will lead to the improvement of the country’s position in maritime and logistic transportation services in several aspects, including seaports, flow of goods, country performance indicators on national ships, control of foreign ships, and development of navigation safety services in the UAE’s territorial waters and seaports,” he concluded.

The UAE is the only Arab country to be nominated as a Category B member of the IMO Council. It is vying with 11 of the world’s leading countries in the field of maritime trade led by Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Australia, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service