U.A.E.
General Information for United Arab Emirates
Geo-political:
Capital City: Abu Dhabi.
Nationality: (noun) Emirati, (adjective) Emirati.
Population: 4,798,491.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 971.
Number of Internal Airports: 24.
Major Languages Spoken: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu.
Economy:
Currency: 1 UAE Dirham (AED) of 100 Fils.
Main Industries: Petroleum and petrochemicals, fishing, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, commercial
ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts and textiles.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. or to the edge of the continental
margin. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 1,318 km.
Climate: Desert; cooler in eastern mountains.
Natural Resources: Petroleum and natural gas.
Natural Hazards: Frequent sand and dust storms.
Terrain: Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland;
mountains in east.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24° C | 12° C |
| June | 36° C | 25° C |
| September | 35° C | 24° C |
DOCUMENTS:
Ship Inspections:
Vessels calling at ports in Dubai will undergo state inspections conducted by Trakhees
Ports, Environment, Health and Safety Division.
Trakhees Ports, Environment, Health and Safety Division. Tel: +971 (4) 804 0307. Fax: +971 (4) 881 7023.
[email protected]
www.ehss.ae/
Business Hours: 0730–1530 hrs. Sunday to Thursday.
ISPS COMPLIANCE:
Abu Dhabi ports are ISPS compliant and all vessels shall carry required certificates.
RESTRICTIONS:
Vessels registered in the following countries are banned from UAE ports, anchorage
areas, territorial waters and economic zone unless they carry valid Classification
Certificates, issued by the International Association of Classification Societies
(IACS): Albania, Belize, Bolivia, Cambodia, Comoro Islands, Georgia, Honduras, Maldives,
Mauritius, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
Such measures have been imposed as part of the country's efforts to prevent maritime
pollution.
Any vessels registered in a country covered by the ban, and presently operating under
a navigation licence issued by the Maritime Affairs Division of the Ministry of Communications,
and under contract to the government of the United Arab Emirates, shall be entitled
to continue to operate until the expiry of their contracts with relevant authorities;
however, such contracts will not be renewed after their expiry.
The IACS members are: American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, China Classification
Society, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Korean Register, Lloyd's Register,
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Registro Italiano Navale and Russian Maritime Register.
Maqta Gateway:
Vessel Registration and Update Request:
Vessels should register and provide the required information through the Maqta Gateway
www.pcs.maqta.ae Once vessel is registered, the Harbour Master will review and confirm acceptance
to the customer. If refused, the Harbour Master will advise the customer and provide
feedback and possibly further documents. Once accepted, the Agent will then be able
to apply for a vessel call at Abu Dhabi's commercial ports.
Customers will be required to provide the following vessel documents at registration:
Class License
Customs Documents
Hull and Machinery Insurance
ISSC
Insurance Certificate
International Load Line Certificate
International Navigation License
International Tonnage Certificate
IOPP Certifcate
NSD File
P&I Insurance
Q88 Form
Registry Certificate
Ship's Particulars
Ship Security Level
Towage Certifcate
UAE Navigation License.
Vessel Call Request (ADPORTS-02):
Customer submits their application through Maqta Gateway 48 hours before the arrival
of a registered vessel that meets international and local regulations. Application
is reviewed by the VTS. Response will be forwarded and, if the request is approved,
the customer shall be notified with the permission of vessel entry as scheduled. In
the event of refusal, the customer will have access to feedback and notes from the
VTS and can provide additional documents and information if necessary.
Documents Required:
Advance Notification Form (waste delivery)
Agent Change Letter
CICPA Inspection
Crew List
Customs/Immigration Clearance
Dangerous Goods Manifest
Dangerous Goods Summary
Diplomatic Clearance (for Navy Vessels)
Discharging Plan
Loading Plan
Master Uniform Report
Passenger List
Pre-Arrival Notification
Pre-Arrival Security Information
Q88 Form
ROPME (ballast water reporting form)
Tug and Tow Safety Checklist.
Vessel Berthing Request (ADPORTS-03):
Customer submits the request specifying the purpose of the visit to assign the appropriate
berth. The request is received by the terminal operators who provide a response. If
approved, the customer will be notified with the confirmation of the berth booking
for the vessel as scheduled. In the event of refusal, the customer shall have access
to the feedback of the terminal operators and shall provide them with additional documents
and information if necessary. No documents required for this stage.
Marine Service Request (ADPORTS-04):
Customer submits the requests which are then received by the VTS. The response will
be received from the VTS. If approved the customer will be notified of the possibility
of obtaining the required service (each separately) as scheduled. In the event of
refusal, the customer has to consult the feedback from the VTS and provide them with
additional documents and information if necessary. No documents required.
Vessel Post-Berthing Service Request (ADPORTS-05):
Customer submits the request which is then received by the VTS. The response will
be received from the VTS or the terminal operators. If approved, client will be notified
of the possibility of obtaining the required service (each separately) as scheduled.
In case of refusal, customer should consult the feedback from the concerned department
and provide them with additional documents, information and clarifications if necessary.
Document required is a Marine Permit to Work Application (if applicable).
Vessel Shifting Request (ADPORTS-06):
Customer submits the request mentioning the purpose of the shift, details of the new
location, and the timing of the shift.
The application will be received by the terminal operators or VTS (according to the
nature of the shift request). Response will be received from the concerned department.
If approved, the customer will be notified with the confirmation of the new location
of the vessel as scheduled. In the event of refusal, the customer shall have access
to the feedback from the concerned department and shall provide them with additional
information if necessary. No documents required.
Vessel Departure Request (ADPORTS-07):
Customer submits the application on completion of all operational activities in the
port, provide clearance of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
and Customs.
The application shall be received by the relevant departments. A response is received
by each department separately. If approved, the customer shall be notified of the
no-objection of the departure of the vessel. In the event of refusal, the customer
shall have access to the notes from the concerned department and provide them with
additional documents, information and clarifications, if necessary. If the approval
is granted, customer will receive the port clearance certificate. Documents Required
are Customs and Immigration Clearances.
Track and Trace Information Request (ADPORTS-56):
Registered customer to request information on existing vessel or cargo (e.g., vessel
location, cargo details) either in Maqta Gateway (Information Services) or via Manara
Mobile Application. The customer has the option to also configure/subscribe to receive
timely notifications upon event occurrence or status change.
The system provides the information for the user in the format requested. No documents
required.
Cargo Handling:
Vessels and other customers also submit requests to handle cargo through the Maqta
Gateway.
Also see
Notices
TUGS:
Abu Dhabi:
16 tugs 27–71 tonnes BP cover the ports of the Emirate.
| Name | Bollard Pull | Propulsion |
|---|---|---|
| (tonnes) | ||
| Abu Dhabi-1 | 50 | ASD control pitch |
| Al Ain | 50 | ASD control pitch |
| Al Aryaf | Fixed propeller | |
| Al Durrah | 52.7 | ASD fixed pitch |
| Al Fenci | 52.7 | ASD fixed pitch |
| Al Hazm-1 | 75 | ASD control pitch |
| Al Hili-1 | 32 | ASD fixed pitch |
| Al Maqtaa | 52.7 | ASD fixed pitch |
| Al Marfaa | 27 | VSP tractor |
| Al Maryah-1 | 71 | ASD |
| Al Qattara | 75 | ASD control pitch |
| Al Shaheed | 30 | ASD fixed pitch |
| Al Shahamah | CPP | |
| Das 1 | 71 | ASD |
| Ghayathi | 28 | Conventional |
| Jimi1 | 32 | ASD fixed pitch |
Operator:
T: +971 (2) 695 2000. F: +971 (2) 695 2177.
[email protected]
www.safeen.ae
TANKER FACILITIES:
Reference to ministerial resolution No. (73) 2017 and with immediate effect: Foreign
flagged ships carrying crude oil and products in the UAE ports, territorial waters
and in the exclusive economic zone (excluding ships with navigation licences issued
by the Federal Transport Authority (FTA)) must fulfil the following conditions to
carry out load/discharge operations:
- ship is less than 25 years old from date of delivery
- classed by Classification Society member in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) or emirates classification society (TASNEEF)
- double hulled
- constructed or adapted primarily to carry crude oil and products in bulk.
BALLAST:
ROPME Sea Area (RSA) Ballast Water Management:
In light of the
Ballast Water Management Convention that replaced the voluntary guidelines and considering the specific provisions of
the Convention, it is desired to take the necessary steps to mitigate the risk of
introduction of harmful species and also to harmonise national and regional policies
to address the issue of ballast water in the RSA.
The RSA is defined as extending between the following geographic positions:
- 16° 39′ 00″ N, 053° 03′ 30″ E
- 16° 00′ 00″ N, 053° 25′ 00″ E
- 17° 00′ 00″ N, 056° 30′ 00″ E
- 20° 30′ 00″ N, 060° 00′ 00″ E
- 25° 04′ 00″ N, 061° 25′ 00″ E.
The area is the largest recipient of ship's ballast water. Annually, more than 50,000
vessels visit this area and discharge a large amount of ballast water. The RSA is
a semi-enclosed water body with intensely hot summers and short cool winters, extensive
air and water temperature fluctuation and relatively high salinity. It is also characterised
by high turbidity and low exchange of water with open waters. Therefore, there is
also a need to manage and control the spread of harmful aquatic species in ship's
ballast water by implementing a set of measures such as ballast water exchange outside
the RSA.
With effect from 1 November 2009, all ships, regardless of flag, will be required
to exchange and treat all ballast water taken up outside the RSA for the Protection
of the Marine Environment.
This comprises the states of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates.
Taking into consideration the provisions of the Regulation B-4 of the
Ballast Water Management Convention, the following points should be observed.
- Vessels arriving from outside the RSA should undertake ballast water exchange en route over 200 n.m. from the nearest land and in water at least depth 200 m.
- If not possible for safety reasons, vessel should be expected to make minor deviations to areas within the 200 n.m. limit that can be identified as discharge area, so long as such areas are more than 50 n.m. from the nearest land in waters at least depth 200 m.
- If not achievable, ship shall provide the respective authority with the reason why it has not done so, and further ballast water management measures may be required, consistent with the Ballast Water Management Convention and other international laws.
Ballast water, that has been treated with a ballast water treatment system approved
in accordance with IMO standards, does not need to be exchanged.
Ships will be required to have on board an approved Ballast Water Management Plan
in accordance with the IMO standards. Ships should also have and maintain a Ballast
Water Record Book.
From the date specified above, all ships passing Strait of Hormuz will be required
to complete the Regional Ballast Water Reporting Form (RBWRF). The ships will be inspected
by the Port State Control Officers to ensure these regional requirements are fully
implemented.
For further assistance contact the local Agent, respective Port Authority or MEMAC
as the Regional Centre at
[email protected] at the earliest opportunity.
TIME:
GMT plus 4 hours.
HOLIDAYS:
New Years Day; 24 April
1 (Israa & Miaraj Night); 27 May
1 (Ramadan expected to begin); 25 June
1 (Eid Al Fitr); 23 August
1 (Hajj); 31 August
1 (Arafat Day); 1 September
1 (Eid Al Adha); 22 September
1 (Hijri New Year's Day); 30 November (Martyr's Day); 30 November
1 (Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday); 2/3 December (UAE National Day).
1 Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sighting and may differ from date
given.
NOTICES:
Vessel Classification Society Requirements:
Ministry of Communications Decision No. 23
Ref. No. DPA/169/07/01
Dubai Port Authority (DPA) has received instructions from the Ministry of Communications
regarding vessels registered in the following countries: Albania, Belize, Bolivia,
Cambodia, Comoros, Georgia, Grenadines, Honduras, Maldives, Mauritius and St. Vincent.
Cabinet Decision No. 23 – 2001 prohibits vessels flying the above flags from entering
UAE ports, waiting at anchor or sailing in territorial waters unless they carry a
valid Classification Certificate issued by any of the following members of the International
Association of Classification Societies (IACS):
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), USA
- Bureau Veritas (BV), France
- Chinese Register of Shipping (CCS), China
- Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Norway
- Germanischer Lloyd (GL), Germany
- Korean Register of Shipping (KR), Korea
- Lloyds Register of Shipping (LR), UK
- Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK), Japan
- Register Italiana Naval (RINA), Italy
- Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), Russia.
Any vessels contravening this law will be detained by the Harbour Master and, accordingly,
information will be passed to Port State Control for further necessary action.
Furthermore, DPA wishes to state that the Ministry's decision is in affiliation with
DPA's Circular dated 01.07.2001, Ref. DPA/165/06/01, ``Rejection/Detention of Sub-Standard
Ships'' which remains applicable (Not reproduced).
Source: Dubai Ports Authority Notice Ref. DPA/169/07/01.
