Emirates Classification Society (Tasneef) held a workshop in liaison with Port of Fujairah last Aug. 26 at Al Diar Siji hotel, Fujairah, to raise awareness for safety regulations of non-conventional ships. The workshop epitomizes Tasneef's continuous efforts to raise awareness of Cabinet Resolution No. 29 of 2013 regarding safety regulations for non-conventional ships that are not covered by the international conventions in GCC countries (GCC Code). The workshop was attended by ship owners and several representatives from maritime and insurance companies. These awareness workshops are considered a step forward in order to establish the significance of applying safety regulations on ships, which are not covered by international conventions in GCC countries. Captain Waleed Al-Nahdi, Marketing and Commercial Director at Tasneef, said “we are committed to executing the ‘GCC Code' without any hindrance to the current maritime projects. That is why we are having a series of workshops in the UAE and the GCC region so that we can spread awareness of the Code among all our maritime stakeholders.” Al-Nahdi confirmed that the society not only aims to protect the marine environment through the issuance of norms and standards but also to intensify its efforts to spread the necessary level of awareness among the maritime community. He added, “We will keep working closely with the maritime community to incorporate these regulations through the awareness workshops as we are keen to apply the cabinet resolution that has become mandatory.” Participants discussed the most essential elements of the ‘GCC Code' and its positive impact on achieving the best level of security, safety and quality in the gulf maritime industry. Tasneef's operations team tackled all the concerns posed by several participants regarding feasibility of the ‘GCC Code'. Operations and Fleet Engineers from Tasneef highlighted the ‘GCC Code' requirements by explaining specifications that should comply with the safety regulations. The panel discussion also witnessed a dialogue between all stakeholders on the prices of classification services, to which Al-Nahdi promised that Tasneef is currently reviewing this and will offer the most competitive and value-added prices in the market compared to other classification societies, thus leading to more adoption of classification services in the region. Al-Nahdi thanked all participants for raising their issues, saying that such workshops make Tasneef more attuned to local concerns and open forums such as these, lead to creating a healthy business environment within the maritime sector. The ‘GCC Code' has been implemented mandatorily starting from the first of September 2014 on: passenger vessels with a total length of 12 meters (39.37 feet) and up to 24 meters (78.74 feet) and carry less than 200 passengers and cargo and fishing vessels, including sandals, with a total length of 24 metres (39.37 feet) and total tonnage of less than 500 tons (500 GT). The Code contains 18 Chapters with a total of 134 regulations which determine ship surveys and inspections procedures in addition to safety precautions, means of escape, fire prevention, navigational equipment, means of communication, machinery, ventilation systems in machine rooms in addition to provisions for the protection of marine environment. Tasneef also expressed its commitment in providing added value services to the maritime industry to reduce maritime accidents through the promotion of safety regulations on ships; in addition to the protection of the marine environment and reducing the risk in this vital economic sector. — SG
