The Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport held a meeting on Thursday to submit the results of the mandatory check conducted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The meeting follows the instructions of Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Balhaif Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport.

Dr. Al Nuaimi, said the UAE will run for a seat at the International Maritime Organisation for a second time during the elections of 2017. A working group was formed to support its nomination.

"The results of the mandatory check conducted by the International Maritime Organisation during the period from the 7th to 15th of this May to check the Maritime Administration in the State concluded that the level of commitment of the Maritime Administration in the State, represented by the Maritime Transport Section of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport and its partners of the Concerned Authorities in the State, can rival that of the developed countries in the field of maritime transport," Dr. Abdullah Salem Al-Katheeri, Director -General of the Authority.

He added that the significance of this check on the Maritime Transport Sector in the UAE constitutes a significant part of the comprehensive development endeavors to develop the Maritime Transport Sector in the State, and to find a reference based on high-level international standards to support the role of the Maritime Transport in UAE in order to realise the vision of the wise leadership of the state by executing the strategic goal of the Authority to develop and organize the Maritime Transport Sector and to enhance its competitiveness.

Eng. Hessa Al Malek, Maritime Transport Executive Director made a visual presentation on the conclusions of the report provided by the IMO including the recommendations of the check.

The report addresses some of the strengths and the best practices of Maritime Transport activities in the state and the work of the Maritime Sector within regulated strategies, legislations and policies with effective integration between the Authority and its partners working in the Maritime Sector, development of the systems used in navigation aids, and the effectiveness and the development of search, and rescue systems and the smart systems in the state’s works, control over the national ships, UAE Yacht Code and adoption of the environment of happiness and creativity in the work.

It also highlights some of the future development areas required including the necessity to enhance the presence of the state in the International Maritime Organisation, to participate on all levels. The report calls for supporting the professional human resources trained for all kinds of maritime activities to maintain the coordination and cooperation between the sector and its partners to follow up the circulars and the constant amendments of the organisation and to translate them quickly to the partners, to find a simpler mechanism, to grant the administrations concerned with issuing the circulars and amendments more powers, as well as the necessity to update the Maritime Law of the State quickly.

The Authority awarded a certificate of appreciation to all Authorities that have participated in the mandatory check, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Sharjah Customs and Ports Department, Ras Al-Khaimah Customs and Ports Department, Umm Al Qaiwain Customs and Ports Department, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport, Dubai Maritime City Authority, the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology, the National Search and Rescue Centre, the Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority, Abu Dhabi Ports, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, DP World Company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Dubai World Ports, and the UAE Classification Society "Tasneef."