Qatar's Ministry Of Transport Organizes "Ballast Water Management Agreement" Workshop

Doha. June 11 (QNA) - The Ministry of Transport held a regional workshop on the Ballast Water Management Agreement, attended by a number of marine specialists from the concerned authorities in Qatar, and representatives of the maritime authorities in a number of countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. This workshop is part of the Ministry's efforts for updating the connection of specialists in the maritime transport sector to the relevant authorities, to ensure the application of all international agreements concerned with preserving the marine environment, as well as conducting discussions regarding issues of maritime security and safety. The workshop also aims to help prevent the spread of potential harmful substances and aquatic organisms that may be transported by ships ballast water. Topics that were also discussed included the plans, procedures and standards set to manage the disposal of ballast water. A practical training was conducted at Hamad Port during the workshop to showcase how to implement the agreement. Ministry of Transport’s Assistant Undersecretary of Maritime Transport Affairs Dr. Saleh bin Fetais Al Marri presented at the end of the workshop certificates to the participants. Due to its impact on preserving the marine environment, the Ballast Water Management Agreement is considered to be one of the most important international maritime agreements. It came into effect in 2017, and with Qatar joining it in 2018. (QNA)