Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has announced that it is leading a new initiative that seeks to establish a professional bunkering standard in the UAE.

DMCA is the government entity in-charge of regulating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai.

DMCA further revealed that it has gathered key stakeholders in the UAE bunkering industry, including maritime bunker regulatory licensing bodies, ship owners, operators, charterers, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, and bunker surveyors, to draft the professional bunkering standard.

The main objective of the bunkering standard is to ensure that the correct quantity is delivered safely, in an environmentally sustainable manner and that quality and efficiency are rewarded, the DMCA said in a statement.

DMCA has been collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Water as well as the UAE Shipping Association, a private sector organisation of UAE shipping concerns, to discuss the progress of the work.

It has also been working closely with Department of Transport representatives in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as well as advisers from Shell, DNV and Viswa Lab to fast track the project.

Captain AlHayyas, special projects manager, DMCA, said: "In light of the Marpol Annex IV changes that come into force on January 1, 2012 there is an urgent need to establish a unified bunkering standard in the UAE."

"This will be a key factor in stabilising the quality of bunkers, while helping enforce more stringent regulations that will minimise the environmental footprint and enhance safety in the bunkering industry," he added.

DMCA has taken the lead in bringing together public and private sector representatives to establish a UAE bunker standard, in line with our commitment to protect and uphold the interest of all stakeholders in the maritime sector.

"The bunker standard will also be crucial in promoting the sustainable growth of the bunkering industry, which plays a very important role in the national economy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service