Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, announced it recently concluded the semi-annual meeting of bunker providers in DMCA’s offices. The meeting discussed the annual issuance of the DMCA certificate of authorisation as well as various key industry issues in line with DMCA’s commitment to promote public-private partnership in the maritime sector.

A presentation on new trends in the global bunker industry was conducted by the DNV Petrol Service, while there was also a discussion on arbitration of disputes conducted by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The DMCA registration and licensing department, on the other hand, clarified various points concerning charges, while the DMCA’s maritime operations department provided the latest updates on various activities of DMCA.

Mohammed Al Bastaki, director of maritime operations, DMCA, said: “It is part of the responsibility of Dubai Maritime City Authority to maintain a harmonious relationship among various stakeholders in the UAE bunkering industry. The semi-annual meeting of bunker providers is part of DMCA’s key initiatives that bring together public and private sector representatives to discuss major issues and collectively help enhance the UAE’s bunker standard. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the latest milestones achieved by DMCA and assess the new developments within the bunkering industry and the UAE’s maritime sector in general.”

Last year DMCA had spearheaded joint efforts to establish professional bunkering standards in the emirate in coordination with maritime bunker regulatory licensing bodies, ship owners, operators, charterers, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, and bunker surveyors. 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.