On the first day of the World Ports and Trade Summit 2013, the largest regional gathering of commercial maritime professionals and industry leaders, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), a strategic partner and driver of the event, has today announced the launch of a subsidiary company, for shipping into the emirate – ADPC Marine Services.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Company, ADPC Marine Services will offer a team of more than 160 employees, dedicated to such areas including: experienced pilots, marine crew, technicians and other customer-focused staff.
The company has been divided into five core services areas that focus on: Pilotage; Harbour Towage; Mooring and Allied Services; Vessel Traffic Services; and Aids to navigation Service.
Commenting on the launch of the company, announced on the first day of the World Ports and Trade Summit 2013, Hamad Al Maghrabi, General Manager of ADPC Marine Services said:
“With an ever-increasing rise in maritime trade, into and from Abu Dhabi, it was clear that a professional marine services company would add value to the emirate’s growing list of shipping lines. The specialized departments, within ADPC Marine Services, are designed to provide a complete and world-class marine service offering that will meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
With a 24-hour, seven day a week, pilotage service, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is now serviced by 19 highly-qualified marine pilots operating across all its ports; and with ADPC Marine Services’ harbour towage offering, shipping arrivals and departures, into and from Abu Dhabi’s ports, are assured of safe, reliable, and efficient marine services on both arrival and departure.
ADPC Marine Services will initially operate a fleet of six tugs, four pilot boats, six speedboats, and one buoy maintenance boat.
Combining advanced radio communication and radar surveillance technologies, with highly trained Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) supervisors and operators, ADPC Marine Services provides safe, timely and reliable VTS services to all ships using Abu Dhabi Ports and waterways. The Mooring and Allied Services Department provides a full range of services, including safe line handling, by trained mooring gangs at all ports, fresh water supply, garbage disposal and bunkering services.
The fifth service in ADPC Marine Services’ business portfolio is the management of the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) buoys & beacons, in all of Abu Dhabi’s territorial waters. The “AtoN” department will manage over 950 buoys and beacons, as well as having responsibilities for inspecting and maintaining buoys and beacons from the likes of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation, General Head Quarters, Environment Abu Dhabi, and the Middle East Navigation Aids Service.
Capt. Mohamed Al Shamisi, Executive Vice President, Ports, ADPC, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Terminals, on the sidelines of the World Ports and Trade Summit 2013 added:
“We are pleased with the new business model and obvious advantages offered by ADPC Marine Services. As a subsidiary and autonomous entity, within the ADPC group, we are certain it will deliver a superior level of service, in their industry segment, and add value to shipping companies currently using or looking to use Abu Dhabi’s ports.”