DUBAI, February 2015: The new UAE Yacht Code, announced on Monday by the Federal Transport Authority, plays a pivotal role in boosting the country’s global recognition in the international maritime industry, said Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft.
The new regulations, which identify the requirements that yacht builders and owners must meet when designing, producing and operating yachts at or above 24 meters in length, come at a time when recognition of the UAE’s maritime sector is overdue, said Bamps. Developed by the Emirates Classification Society, Tasneef, in cooperation with major industry players, the UAE Yacht Code is the first globally to regulate the manufacturing of private superyachts, further underscoring UAE’s ambitions to become a maritime center of excellence.
“The UAE is already a significant contributor to the global maritime industry, however our biggest challenge has always been that we are not yet seen in an international capacity, not only in terms of our potential, but also in terms of our present-day achievements,” said Bamps.
“However, the new private yacht regulations, a global breakthrough, is a cornerstone for the UAE maritime cluster and has the capacity to change perceptions by setting industry standards. Further to defining build quality and operation, we see the regulations as an instrumental step to establish the UAE as an internationally recognized yacht production hub. The UAE Yacht Code and the existence of Tasneef are essential building blocks for the growth of the country’s maritime cluster, and you cannot build a cluster without credibility,” Bamps said.
Omar Abu Omar, COO of Tasneef, said: “There was a clear absence of a regulatory framework for large private yachts, the cargo ship rules were applied on the large private yachts and as such the number of people on board were limited (max. 12) as well as the Gross Tonnage (max. 3000 tonnes). Further, the absence of clear regulations has led to different practices between flag states and class societies, and as a result, many exemptions were issued to the large private yachts due to non-compliance. By developing dedicated yacht regulations, the UAE took a major step in filling this gap.”
The UAE flag, now addresses the need for statutory requirements and brings to the industry a safer yachting experience by protecting the life, assets, and the environment through the compliance of UAE yacht regulations and international standards. UAE flagged yachts will now be surveyed and maintained to appropriate standards through a proper survey regime.
“The beauty of the UAE yacht regulations is that they bring both innovation and flexibility to the industry. They do not limit the size of the yacht, the tonnage, nor the number of passengers onboard, and allows UAE flagged yachts to sail internationally without such limitations, and at the same time, without compromising on safety and quality. This is truly a global first, and a hallmark achievement for the UAE,” Omar added.
Erwin Bamps with Omar Abu Omar (middle), COO of Tasneef
A credible yacht code will also attract international players, further bolstering Dubai as a production hub of world-class yachts, said Bamps.
“We welcome global players from the international maritime industry to come and establish themselves in Dubai. By setting up practice in the UAE, not only will they have access to first-rate facilities, but they will also be right in the center of one of the world’s largest superyacht consumer markets,” he said.
“The UAE Yacht Code is a clear example of how we need to be driven by innovation and continue to raise the bar when it comes to offering customers a unique yachting experience. It means pushing the envelope and doing things that have never been done before, much like what we have achieved by building ships in the desert.”
