Business | Shipping
Accident near UAE coast raises safety concerns Sea Views
Yet another marine accident that occurred on Tuesday, close to the coastline of both Sharjah and Dubai, has further highlighted the need for stringency regarding the enforcement of safety and environmental requirements on vessels that operate out of UAE ports.
- Frank Kennedy, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 May 8, 2006
Yet another marine accident that occurred on Tuesday, close to the coastline of both Sharjah and Dubai, has further highlighted the need for stringency regarding the enforcement of safety and environmental requirements on vessels that operate out of UAE ports.
The Miriam Express a Panama-registered, roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessel of 90-metres length and of 3,348 gross tonnes (GRT) was sailing from Hamriah Port to Iraq when it sank about 20 nautical miles from the coast. It is reported that there was no loss of life after the UAE Coastguard rescued 14 crewmembers.
The ship's Dubai operator, Hufoof Shipping, said the 1978-built ship was carrying general cargo including vehicles and foodstuffs.
While the causes of the accident are unclear at this time, reports by the Kuwait News Agency suggest that the sinking was due to overloading of the ship, exacerbated by bad weather.
The extent of any resultant pollution is not yet known, and the chairman of the Dubai-based Regional Clean Sea Organisation (Recso), Khamis J. Bu Amim, could not comment on the situation because Recso was (as yet) not involved in the incident.
Optimistically, a major pollution incident is unlikely since the vessel was not a tanker and the source of any leakage is likely to be solely from the ship's fuel tanks. In such circumstances natural break-up and evaporation would also help with any dispersal. However, if there was any additional storage of oil being utilised, the risk of pollution could be much more serious.
This latest accident emphasises again that old tonnage is susceptible to greater risk and the specific debate over the safety of older ro-ro vessels will be further fuelled. Furthermore, the high concentration of all kinds of elderly vessels that operate out of Dubai Hamriah is of considerable concern, particularly if those vessels are not being managed safely and responsibly under the requirements of Port State, Flag State and International regulations. Therefore, proactive enforcement of compliance is the key to minimise the risk of further accidents that could have very serious consequences.
Port of Fujairah announces seafarer immigration formalities
The Port of Fujairah has announced details of seafarer immigration formalities that took effect from May 1.
1. All immigration formalities covered by Port of Fujairah Immigration Section are for vessels at Port of Fujairah and the offshore Anchorage only. This means vessels outside of Fujairah Port and the Anchorage limits are not eligible for any type of immigration services.
2. All immigration processing will be electronic and all immigration passes will be issued by this system and hand-written documentation will no longer be issued. Therefore, Agents are required to submit crew lists at least two hours prior to the required time and to clearly specify whether the particular ship is in the port or at the anchorage.
3. In order to expedite the issue of immigration passes, the Immigration Section will issue documentation in accordance with the information provided by the Agent. For vessels at the Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area the Immigration Section will confirm details with the office of the Harbour Master and in the case of all vessels at Khor Fakkan Anchorage a Condition Certificate will be required from Khor Fakkan Port that must be submitted within 24 hours.
Emirates Shipping appoints regional representatives
Dubai's Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) has announced that it has appointed Starship Agencies, Star Navigation and PT Maer Translindo Pratama to act as its representatives in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.
Vikas Khan, chairman and CEO of ESL, said Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore were a major focus in the expanding trade and commerce of the region. Star Navigation executive director Derek Ong said he felt confident the deal would ensure that the company would become one of the fastest growing lines in the industry.
RasGas names its eighth LNG carrier Simaisma
At a ceremony held at the South Korean yard of the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Company, RasGas has named its eighth LNG ship Simaisma, according to Business Reporter.
RasGas has a long-term charter agreement with the Maran Gas Maritime and Qatar Gas Transport Company, which owns the vessel, and under the terms of the time charter agreement, RasGas will charter the ship for 20 years to deliver LNG from its existing and future facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City to its growing portfolio of customers around the world.
Simaisma is the second vessel to be delivered from the shipyard to the Maran Gas Maritime and Qatar Gas Transport Company consortium. The vessel is scheduled for delivery from the shipyard on September 1.
The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.
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