UAE Ship Owners' Association launched

The UAE Ship Owners Association (UAESOA) has been officially launched at a reception at Dubai International Financial City (DIFC). The association has been formed to promote the interests of ship owners based in and operating from the UAE, in addition to providing a common platform for interaction within the rest of the industry. With new offices to be established in Dubai Maritime City, the association's other key priority is to promote the establishment of professional standards and an ethical industry practice.

Despite receiving support from national heavyweights Sharaf group, GEM and Dubai shipping company, there were notable companies missing from the founder group. The country's largest ship owner, ADNOC, was conspicuous by its absence at the event."UAESOA has been established to provide a platform to support the interests of ship owners and the maritime industry of the UAE. We aim to bring the ship owners together with, maritime suppliers, service providers and concerned members of the public, for the benefit of the wider maritime community. We welcome all the ship owners based in UAE to join the association," said Major General Sharafuddin Sharaf, vice chairman of Sharaf Group, and president of UAESOA.

Similar to other ship owners' associations worldwide, the UAESOA will voice its professional opinion in the exchange of ideas between the industry and the national and international regulatory authorities. If required, the association will also lend competent marine advisors to support, assist and enhance UAE representation at various international industry gatherings. Their role will be to offer guidance and advice on compliance with UAE laws and assist the authorities in promoting regulations for the benefit of members and industry professionals alike. Significantly, UAESOA will also be affiliated to the International Chamber of Shipping. Whilst representing the interests of UAE ship owners abroad, the association also aims to promote the UAE flag internationally by proposing suitable amendments to the relevant authorities and streamlining legislation for the registration of ships under the UAE flag. The UAESOA will conduct research, arrange or endorse conferences and educational seminars and workshops to assist & promote the growth of marine knowledge and to examine current industry issues, industry best practice and compliance. One issue the UAESOA is eager to address is the lack of awareness of financial packages available to the industry. "There is a general lack of awareness of the financing options available to ship owners. We hope that the association will be a conduit between ship owners and the finance industry," commented Captain Saleem Alavi, business development manager, Dubai Maritime City.The association will be self-funding through membership fees, which fall into four main categories. Founder membership is available only to those originally involved in the setting-up of the association. Full membership is open to companies registered in the U.A.E. that own ships of 500 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) or more, which is further categorised depending on the number of ships firms register. Associate Membership is open to any company registered in the U.A.E. that does not own a ship but is engaged in ship operating or ship management and Honorary Membership is open to prominent members of society. "We will have regional influence although our main activity will be in the UAE. The association has started with eight members and we are expecting up to a hundred others to join shortly," said Captain Jitendra Misra, general secretary of UAESOA, and managing director of Emarat Maritime. Source