National Transport Authority of United Arab Emirates to Host Environmental Maritime Summit Initiative Underscores Commitment to Environmental Shipping

H.E. Dr. Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, the Director General of the National Maritime Authority, announced the NTA for the Government of U.A.E. will host an environmental shipping summit on March 2nd 2010 followed by a workshop on March 3rd 2010. The topic of the summit is “Environmental Vigilance: Taking the lead in environmental protection”. The summit will take place at the Park Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi. “Our desired outcome for the summit is to engage the maritime stakeholders in a collaborative approach to secure that environmental issues remain a high priority for the maritime community and its many constituencies,” stated Dr. Nasser “UAE is a leader in environmental initiatives, and we wish to extend this leadership into the maritime arena.” The goals for the Environmental Vigilance Summit include recognizing the critical environmental issues facing the global maritime community and how they are being addressed on the regulatory, enforcement, industry, flag and NGO front to bring these issues to public awareness; examining how innovations in ship design and practices are facilitating the goals of environmental vigilance; reinforcing the need for environmental vigilance in a challenging market and economic environment; and promoting the work that is being done to ensure environmental compliance. The accompanying workshop on March 3rd 2010 will endeavor to develop a program for furthering the awareness of the issue of environmental compliance, identify next steps and what action needs to be taken to implement such a program. Experts from around the globe will be sharing their insights. After a welcome by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Chairman of the National Transport Authority, the summit attendees will receive an overview from Clay Maitland, Founding Chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) who is also a Managing Partner of International Registries Inc. Other speakers include Andreas Chrysostomou, IMO Chairman of the MEPC; Jeanne Grasso, Partner at Blank Rome LLP; Soren Stig Nielsen, Senior Director for AP Moller-Maersk; Torben Jessen, President of the Danish Maritime University; and Jan Fransen, Managing Director of the Green Award Foundation. CNBC as well as trade and local media will also be on hand to cover this event. The National Transport Authority has teamed up with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association to produce this event. “NAMEPA is extremely impressed by the dedication to marine environment protection demonstrated by the UAE,” stated NAMEPA Founding Chairman Clay Maitland. “Their leadership in the region sends a message to the global community of their national commitment to this area.” Attendance is at a very nominal cost of USD500 and registration is necessary. To secure a seat, delegates are requested to complete the form or email their interest to conference@nta.gov.ae or alternately to executivedirector@namepa.net .