Dubai eases cruise traffic for 2023/24 season

With the start of the 2023/24 cruise season, the Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC) has been doing everything possible to facilitate the smooth arrival and departure of cruise ships to and from Dubai ports.

He PCFCActing through its various departments, it seeks to consolidate Dubai’s position as a major global tourism destination and a distinctive hub of cruise tourism by ensuring a comfortable and safe travel experience for both passengers and ships’ crews.

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporationstated that the PCFC, in cooperation with the relevant authorities of the Emirate, plays a vital role in facilitating cruise traffic in Dubai waters by overseeing strict security frameworks that are fluid and flexible at the same time.

He PCFC seeks to further enhance safety during the current cruise season with up to 150 ships expected to visit Dubai with thousands of guests from around the world.

HE Bin Sulayem He explained that the Security Department of the Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation has been working to facilitate the movement of ships to and from Dubai ports in a manner that ensures the safety of visitors and the crews of the ships carrying them. they attend The duties and responsibilities entrusted to the security department vary depending on the types of ships entering or leaving the port, she said.

These efforts require implementing various requirements and security measures specified for the port in question according to the categorization of vessels as commercial or tourist, he added.

Bin Sulayem highlighted that the PCFCThrough your security division, you want to implement a complete and integrated security system that corresponds to the best security standards listed in the International protection of ships and port facilities (ISPS) to ensure full compliance with the regulations by all persons on board ships.

Bin Sulayem He also highlighted the role of Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) under the Planning and Development Department – Trakhees in carrying out inspections on board cruise ships arriving in Dubai and verifying compliance with safety requirements. The EHS Department is responsible for checking equipment and ballast water, in addition to other environmental and health standards on ships, to protect the marine environment in particular and the Emirate of Dubai in general from any potential pollution or risk to health. health.

Your excellence aggregate:

“The arrival of the cruise ships (Resilient Lady) to Dubai heralds the beginning of an exceptional season for cruise ships where, thanks to our Security Department, we play a fundamental and important role in ensuring the safety and stability of the cruise ship and its passengers through through our commitment. to provide the highest levels of service for cruise ships. In this way, we serve to make Dubai a pioneering and safe destination in the region, and these efforts also contribute to achieving the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and Dubai’s objectives in terms of consolidating its position among the top three urban economies. of the world”. .

Bin Sulayem expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by the Department of Security as well as by the EHS Department in the context of cooperation and coordination with relevant authorities to secure, monitor and regulate the entry of cruise ships into Dubai waters.

In recognition of the Department of Security’s efforts and oversight of ships passing through Dubai and ensuring security at the port, a tribute ceremony was organized on board the Resilient Lady cruise ship in the presence of several officials and key stakeholders. The trophies changed hands between the ship’s captain and representatives of the PCFC Security Department as a way to express appreciation for the Department’s efforts.

Dubai also recently welcomed the Kuwaiti research ship (Al Mostakshif), affiliated with the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), which specializes in the study of marine life and carries out scientific research projects. The ship arrived in Dubai to participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) which was recently held in Dubai.

The Department of Environment, Health and Safety of the Trakhees Department assumed the responsibility of verifying the certificates of both the ship and the crew, in addition to the inspection of the ship’s shipping and communication devices, in addition to checking gas emissions and ballast water for the environment. rules and regulations.

News source: Dubai Press Office