Oman port volume down
The volume of goods unloaded at Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman declined in 1999 compared to the previous year. Statistics released by the Ministry of National Economy showed that there was a 7 per cent decrease in goods unloaded at the port.
Goods unloaded at Salalah Port surged by 7.1 per cent in 1999 compared to 1998. Foodstuff, construction material and vehicles were the main items handled by the ports. The number of vessels which called at the two ports witnessed a drop last year, reaching 1,596 as against 1,608 in 1998.
QNNTC profits up
Qatar National Navigation and Transport Company's (QNNTC) net profits touched QR113.1 million ($31.07 million) in 1999 up QR4.7 million over 1998 figures, said outgoing chairman Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi.
Revenues fell steeply from QR421.7 million in 1998 to QR365.5 million in 1999. Despite sliding revenues, shareholders have been given 40 per cent of the company's capital as cash dividends, amounting to QR80 million.
QNNTC said 784 vessels called in at Qatari ports last year. The volume of imported goods unloaded at the country's ports last year was 2.72 million tonnes compared to 3 million tonnes in the previous year.
Saudi airline adds 4 cargo planes
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) has added four cargo planes to its fleet as part of its drive for a bigger market share, said Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Baiz, assistant general manager in charge of cargo services.
The four new MD-11 planes, which entered service recently, boosted SAA's cargo fleet to seven. The airline carried 256,000 tonnes of cargo and 6,700 tonnes of mail in 1999. The company is operating 11 cargo hubs, including three in Saudi Arabia, four in Asia, one in North America, one in Africa and one in Europe.
Shipping firm being set up
The Jeddah-based Islamic Shipowners Association is finalising the establishment of a $150 million joint shipping firm to be known as Bakkah Shipping Company (Basco).
The association is also planning to consider a proposal for training and employment of sailors and maritime staff from Sierra Leone, said secretary-general Dr Abdul Latif Sultan.
New facility opens
Joint Tank Services FZE (JTS), the first professional tank container cleaning facility in the UAE, was opened recently Jebel Ali Free Zone recently. The new station which cost Dh4 million ($1.08 million) and one year to build can clean up to 1,800 tanks per year. It is a joint venture between Kanoo Terminal Services (KTS) and Al Sace Properties, a UK-based trust company.
Plea to tighten security
Lt-Col Sultan Mohammed Al Hajri, head of police centres in Sharjah, has called for security to be tightened at sea ports to check smuggling. A close watch on entry points, particularly the Khalid Sea Port as it is the most active port in the emirate, must be maintained, he said.
He stressed that ships and even passengers' baggage must be checked.
Bimco draft on oil tankers
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) hopes to put forward a revised draft for chartering oil tankers by certain energy firms at a board meeting on May 24 - 25.
BP Amoco has sought the assistance of Bimco in revising the oil major's policy for chartering. "The document for chartering of tankers by oil companies is long and we want to make it clear and short," said Soren Larsen, deputy secretary general (legal affairs) of Bimco.
Clamp on rogue ships
National watchdogs will be set up along the shores of the GCC waters to clamp down on rouge ships using the Gulf waters as a dump for their waste, thus polluting the environment and marine lives.
The plan includes building new seaport reception and treatment facilities and upgrading existing ones in order to collect waste from ships.
The move is being backed by the Regional Organisation for the Protection of the Marine Environment (Ropme), which is likely to meet in Bahrain on May 30 and 31.
DPA warns of shake-up
Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) has warned that the advent of e-commerce and the increasing size of vessels spell a major shake-up for the shipping industry.
Ports which are not prepared to handle larger volumes of cargo at much faster turn-around times are going to lose out, Arab News quoted DPA's managing director Sultan bin Sulayem as saying.
Meanwhile, DPA has set up Dubai Ports International (DPI) to develop DPA's role as an offshore management operator, to compete in the new scenario brought about by the emergence of Salalah and Aden ports.
DPA's offshore venture will manage Beirut port and develop it into a transshipment hub for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The company, which will also manage the Jeddah Islamic Port, plans to convert it from a local pivotal port to a global hub serving the Red Sea and Africa.
DPA will also look at more investments in infrastructure if there is an increase in demand, said Bin Sulayem.
New agency opens
The newly-formed Seamaster Shipping Agencies has started its operations in Dubai. The company provides full shipping agency services for all kinds of ships, including container vessels, tankers, chemical carriers and bulk vessels calling in at UAE ports or offshore. It also provides services at Dubai Dry Docks. It will also open an office in Fujairah shortly, a report said.
