ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in the Emirate, has renamed its subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Marine Services, as ‘SAFEEN’ –meaning ships in Arabic- in a bid to rebrand itself. The announcement was followed closely by the brand winning the prestigious International Safety Management (ISM) certification from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Further, as part of expanding its fleet and improving services, SAFEEN has added a new tug boat named ‘MAQTAA’ to its existing fleet of five tugs, five pilot boats, six speed boats, one buoy maintenance boat and two oil spill response boats. The company plans to acquire three more tug boats by the end of 2016.
The International Safety Management (ISM) certification comes as recognition of SAFEEN’s compliance with the best international standards of safety. The ISM Code is part of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships as well as pollution prevention.
“The ISM certification coupled with our acquisition of the new tug boat mark the grand launch of our new brand, which gives utmost value to servicing our esteemed clients. These achievements prove that this makeover is about achieving substantial improvement in the capacity and quality of our marine services, which play a major role in the region’s maritime industry,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports.
The €4,150,000 (AED 17.09 million)-tug boat ‘MAQTAA’ has up to 15 tonne marine crane capacity and three-wire drum winches for anchor handling and towage operations of barges. ‘MAQTAA’ will provide towing service and assistance to vessels for berthing and unberthing, along with anchor handling. Additionally, it offers maintenance service for Aids to Navigation (AtoN), such as buoys and beacons.
SAFEEN’s AtoN department, established in compliance with IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation & Lighthouse Authorities) standards, maintains nearly 1198 buoys and beacons. The department conducts regular inspections to facilitate safe and efficient movement of ships in Abu Dhabi waterways and channels, while conserving the maritime environment.
SAFEEN also offers a wide range of services such as vessel services (tug services, towage, pilotage), vessel trafficking services (VTS), mooring and ancillary services (such as Bollard pull test, quayside services, fresh water supply, garbage disposal, bunkering, issuing of permits), diving services (including underwater inspection and filming), bathymetric surveying, ferry management in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, navigational services (waterway & channel maintenance) and marine workshop services.
Abu Dhabi Marine Services has previously won the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations (IPSO) certification for its marine pilotage service. Established in March 2013, Abu Dhabi Marine Services provides a comprehensive range of marine and ancillary quayside services to vessels calling at Abu Dhabi seaports in a safe, secure and efficient manner.
