Singapore and Dubai strengthen maritime ties

Sunday, 17 October 2010 22:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ali Aldaboos, Executive Director of DMCA, and Yee Cheok Hong, MPA Group Director (Policy & Planning)

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) are set to explore areas of cooperation in maritime planning, regulation and promoting environmental protection.

MPA and DMCA have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to “foster maritime relations,” according to MPA.

Under the MOU, the port authorities will look into collaborations in the planning and regulation of marinas and waterways.

Other possible areas of co-operation include promoting maritime environment protection as well as conducting maritime training and research.

“Working closely with MPA will certainly help DMCA to boost our efforts to grow a sustainable and vibrant maritime sector in this part of the world,” said Ali Aldaboos, Executive Director of DMCA, adding that the MOU represents a “great milestone” for DMCA.

Yee Cheok Hong, MPA Group Director (Policy & Planning), said the signing of an MOU with DMCA “will pave way for further collaboration between both parties.”

Singapore has previously worked with the UAE in enhancing the safety of navigation and protection of marine environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) through the Cooperative Mechanism for the SOMS, according to MPA.

DP World to double size of Egypt container ops

DP World has signed an agreement with the Red Sea Ports Authority that clears the way to double the size of DP World’s container operations in Sokhna Port, Egypt.

The new terminal at Sokhna Port, which is located at the southern end of the Suez Canal, will have a quay length of 1,300 metres and a capacity of 1.75 million TEU, more than doubling DP World Sokhna’s existing capacity to match the rapid increase in volumes at the port. It is anticipated the new capacity will be available within four years.

The new agreement replaces the original concession agreement awarded to DP World Sokhna and further extends the concession to 35 years after the construction of the new terminal.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to further develop Sokhna Port. The new agreement is recognition of the contribution DP World Sokhna has made to the local economy,” stated DP World Chairman HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

“The DP World Sokhna Basin 1 terminal has been performing extremely well, working above capacity, thanks to the high level of cooperation we have received from our customers and the authorities. DP World Sokhna has already brought a new level of energy to economic activity in this part of Egypt with its state-of-the-art maritime facility. We hope to contribute even more to Egypt’s growth under the new agreement,” added Captain Osama Al Sharif, Chairman, DP World Sokhna.

Sokhna Port is the closest container port to Cairo and one of Egypt’s busiest. It is located within the 90 square kilometres North West Suez Economic Zone, the first of its kind in the country.