Al Masaood Marine signs deal with Ministry of Environment and Water to manage coastal boatyards
Deal supports government plans to realign maritime regulations across the Emirates
Al Masaood Marine, a division of Al Masaood Group, one of the largest commercial organizations in the UAE, has today announced that it has signed a deal with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Water to take over the management of the government's 10 boat maintenance facilities on the UAE's coastline.
The deal was signed this afternoon in Abu Dhabi by HE Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad from the Ministry of Environment and Water, and Mr Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of the Al Masaood Group.
The boatyards are currently used to service the UAE's registered fishing fleet, comprising 7000 vessels. Al Masaood Marine will oversee the running of these boat yards, including the services on offer, quality of delivery, personnel and other associated business elements. The 10 boatyards, which are located in Delma, Khorfaccan,, Dubai, Dibba, Kalba, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, will also open to owners of leisure-based boats, meaning increased choice for individuals who own their own yacht or motor boat and who need access to professional boat yards for checks and repairs to their own vessel.
Andrew Wagner, General Manager of Al Masaood Marine and Engineering, comments: "Al Masaood Marine & Engineering has been operating its own workshops for over 50 years and we have built a highly specialized team of experts, used to dealing with crafts of all sizes. We are honoured that the government has chosen us as its preferred partner to oversee its boat yards, the efficiency of which is a crucial component in the success of the national fishing industry."
He continues: "The number of berths available in the UAE is set to rise almost 1000% in the next ten years. This will translate into a ten-fold demand for the servicing of boats used for leisure. Today's deal will help ensure that there will be capacity across the country's boatyards to cope with this future demand."
Al Masaood Marine is building a new flagship workshop in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi, which will become the 11th boat yard under the management's control when it opens in early 2009.
The company is also advising the Government on its plans to realign maritime regulation across the UAE, which currently differs from Emirate to Emirate. Andrew Wagner comments further: "The UAE is set to become a major leisure cruising destination in the region. At the moment, if you want to sail around the UAE coastline, you are subject to different regulations as you cross each of the Emirate's maritime territory. As the number of boats used for business or pleasure in the UAE grows, so does the need for clarity and consistency in the country's maritime laws. The government is taking exactly the right steps in reviewing the existing laws now and looking to make the appropriate changes to provide an even more safe and attractive environment for all water users in the future."
