UAE, US share best maritime practices

Dubai, June 12, 2012 (WAM) - A high-level delegation comprising senior officials from Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority in charge of regulating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai and the Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, recently concluded a visit to the USA where they met different marine entities in California to discuss various aspects of maritime environment and pollution. The DMCA team was headed by Amer Ali, executive director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, while Majed Al Shamsi represented the Department of Transport. The delegation first met the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which has been responsible for developing a comprehensive body of regulation regarding ocean going vessels over the last two decades. DMCA officials discussed topics such as ship emissions, and innovative approaches to mitigate air pollution by ships in ports such as providing shore-side electrical power to the ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off. “This US visit is in line with DMCA’s strategy of adopting the best international practices in all maritime-related aspects, especially environmental protection,” Ali said. – The Gulf Today