Business | Opinion
Sea Views: UAE urged to upgrade ship supply arrangements
The president of the UAE National Ship Suppliers Association (UNSSA), Saeed Malek, has praised the standard of UAE port facilities while urging authorities to improve on some practical aspects of ship supply arrangements.
- Frank Kennedy, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 June 5, 2006
The president of the UAE National Ship Suppliers Association (UNSSA), Saeed Malek, has praised the standard of UAE port facilities while urging authorities to improve on some practical aspects of ship supply arrangements.
Malek, speaking at the UNSSA's Business Promotion Get-together held in Dubai last Thursday, underlined the uniqueness and longevity of the ship supply business that has been present ever since ships first put to sea.
Nevertheless, the development of modern technology has meant that many ships are now bigger and faster and their voyages longer while stays in port have become shorter.
The role of the ship supplier has had to adapt accordingly; yet the needs of the ships remain the same. "Speak to any seafarer", he said, "and you will find the supplier cast as both hero and villain. Hero for delivering the impossible in the ship's hour of need, villain for a multitude of allegations some true and most of them ? not true.
The UNSSA president went on to say that ship suppliers were the true "captains and kings and shakers" of the UAE's shipping industry, adding that its ports were easily on par, if not better than the more traditional seaport hubs of Hong Kong, Singapore, Rotterdam and New York.
Moreover, he underlined the safety of UAE ports and their developed infrastructures with high standards of resources all the while "staying the course" on technical development, equipment and operational systems.
He was also thankful for the advent of the ISPS Code, combined with ISM and PSC requirements that had defined procedures and enhanced security, safety, quality and efficiency, working to the advantage of all users of the ports whose mutual aim was for safe berths, expeditious cargo handling and efficient ship turnaround these factors were instrumental in increasing the volume of ships using the ports and good for business for providers of marine supplies and services such as the UNSSA.
Notwithstanding these positive aspects, Malek took the opportunity to call upon UAE port authorities to consider the practical aspects of the marine supply and service industries.
He said ideally, ships needed to complete receipt of supplies and services when alongside and engaged in cargo work and that it was to their disadvantage to have to wait for breaks during that cargo work or to take supplies either prior to or following cargo work thereby adding extra delay.
He also expressed concern that some ports/berths prohibited any ship supply activity and that tanker terminals and even some container quays were posing challenges.
This type of situation, he said, forced ships to obtain their supplies elsewhere, thereby losing business for the UAE.
In his final point, Malek accepted that occasionally, official enforcement of new regulations made the job of the ship supplier more difficult and urged port operators and other authorities such as municipality food control sections and seaport and airport customs, to be more understanding and whenever possible to consult the UNSSA prior to enforcement of these rules.
The UAE National Ship Suppliers Association was formed in March 1999 and has the following aims:
Promote, maintain and protect the economic interests and standing of ship suppliers.
Enhance the image of the UAE as one of the best ship supply centres in the world.
Represent its members at an international level (by means of membership of the International Ship Suppliers Association).
Promote a meaningful relationship between ship owners and suppliers.
Encourage contacts and discussions between all concerned on matters of common interest.
Cultivate a better understanding between all UAE ports in the regulation of ship-chandlery activities thereby improving the quality of services provided at each port.
Represent members' interests with various government bodies.
Attract new membership according to the policies defined by the association.
Lloyd's Register takes unilateral action on poor PSC performance
Lloyd's Register (LR) has decided to take unilateral action to encourage flag states to deal with poor port state control (PSC) performance, using an approach piloted by Cyprus which has, along with Malta, moved from the Paris MoU black list to the white list.
The first administration approached under this initiative was Tuvalu, which has responded positively and has now signed an agreement with LR which will see the register submit its detained ships to a stringent survey and audit regime intended to improve its current PSC record.
This regime operates on a 'three strikes and you're out' philosophy. Upon the
first detention in a two-year period, Lloyd's Register will verify that all items have been rectified and carry out all due surveys or a general examination of the vessel.
The second time a ship is detained in the two-year period, additional audits of both the ship-based and shore-based safety management systems will be required, together with an inspection of the vessel carried out jointly by Lloyd's Register and the administration.
Upon a third detention in the two-year period, all the ship's statutory certificates will be suspended from the date of detention and full renewal surveys, with rectification of all items, including conditions of class, will be required in order for the certificates to be re-instated.
This system was piloted by Cyprus as part of its 'improvement of the safety record of the Cyprus fleet initiative, adopted in June 2000 by the Cypriot Department of Merchant Shipping, in co-operation with class.
LR is seeking to extend this regime to other registers where the PSC record warrants such action and where the ship register demonstrates a willingness to improve its performance.
The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.
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