Dubai-UAE:  – Dubai Industrial City, the region’s leading manufacturing and logistics destination and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced it has signed a project development agreement with Gulf Eternit Industries (GEI), a member of Future Pipe Industries Group (FPI), to establish a fiberglass pipe factory.

The new factory will replace its current operations in Um Al Ramool that was set up in 1972 and consolidate Gulf Eternit’s growing role as a leading supplier of fiberglass pipes to local and regional clients including Dubai Municipality, DEWA, Dubai Transport Authority, SEWA, FEWA, ADWEA, Abu Dhabi Municipality, ADNOC Group of Companies, and Borouge.

Established in Dubai in 1984, Future Pipe Industries Group has evolved from a local manufacturer to a global leader in the large diameter fiberglass pipe industry. Currently, the company develops, manufactures and supplies pipe systems to more than 300 major customers in over 50 countries across the power, oil and gas, petrochemical, infrastructural, municipal, desalination and marine market segments.

Abdullah Belhoul, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial City, said: “Dubai Industrial City welcomes not only a world-class leader that is a prominent technology developer and manufacturer of advanced fiberglass pipe systems, but also.a homegrown company that has not only made its mark in the global marketplace but also stands testimony to the progress achieved by Dubai’s industrial sector.”
Fiberglass pipes are gaining increasing market share over counterparts made with commodity materials such as iron and concrete. In addition to being environmentally friendly, fiberglass pipes have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which results in lower transportation and installation costs. Additionally, fiberglass is non-corrosive, highly resilient to harsh climactic conditions, and offers a lifespan of over five decades that translate to lower replacement needs.

Mounib Hatab, Vice President, Future Pipe Industries Group and Gulf Eternit Industries (UAE), said: “Our region is witnessing a rise in housing, non-residential buildings and infrastructure projects, all of which need quality supplies from the pipeline industry. Our relocation to Dubai Industrial City, with its close proximity to the Jebel Ali Sea Port and the Al Maktoum International Airport, along with our planned state-of-the-art factory will allow us to introduce a new competitive edge to our business. We are thankful to Dubai Industrial City for the constant support they have extended to us during our relocation process.”

Earlier this month, Dubai Industrial City, the second largest non-real estate project in Dubai, announced it has completed large infrastructural development work associated with its power, water, sewage, irrigation and telecom systems covering an equivalent area of 15 square kilometers (161 million square feet) of the city.

Located on Emirates Road near the new Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City offers a strategic advantage with its proximity to major highways and the Jebel Ali Port.

DMCA focuses on key issues covering safety, environmental sustainability and dispute resolution in bunkering industry

September 21, 2011

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government entity in-charge of regulating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, has announced that it is leading a new initiative that seeks to establish a professional bunkering standard in the UAE.

DMCA has further revealed that it has gathered key stakeholders in the UAE bunkering industry, including maritime bunker regulatory licensing bodies, ship owners, operators, charterers, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, and bunker surveyors, to draft the professional bunkering standard.

The main objective of the bunkering standard is to ensure that the correct quantity is delivered safely, in an environmentally sustainable manner and that quality and efficiency are rewarded. DMCA has been collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Water as well as the UAE Shipping Association, a private sector organisation of UAE shipping concerns, to discuss the progress of the work. It has also been working closely with Department of Transport representatives in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as well as advisers from Shell, DNV and VISWA Lab to fast track the project.

Captain AlHayyas, Special Projects Manager, Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: “In light of the MARPOL Annex IV changes that come into force I January 2012 there is an urgent need to establish a unified bunkering standard in the UAE, which will be a key factor in stabilising the quality of bunkers, while helping enforce more stringent regulations that will minimise the environmental footprint and enhance safety in the bunkering industry. Dubai Maritime City Authority has taken the lead in bringing together public and private sector representatives to establish a UAE bunker standard, in line with our commitment to protect and uphold the interest of all stakeholders in the maritime sector. The bunker standard will also be crucial in promoting the sustainable growth of the bunkering industry, which plays a very important role in the national economy.”

Dubai Maritime City Authority has pointed out that the bunker standard will serve as an important tool in minimizing bunkering disputes by establishing a dispute resolution process that will benefit all stakeholders in the UAE bunkering industry. It will also provide annual reporting goals for the industry based on jointly developed KPIs. The bunkering standard will also be drafted in accordance with local and national environmental regulations, particularly with regards to pollution control.

HSBC Insurance Brokers has established a branch office and received regulatory approval from the Qatar Financial Centre Authority to provide insurance broking services to corporate customers.

Steve Bonynge, Managing Director HSBC Insurance Brokers (Middle East), said: “We look to contribute to the development and growth of the Qatar insurance market by bringing over 30 years of international experience.” Stuart Pearce, CEO and General Director

QFC Authority, said: “The QFC has attracted a wide range of local, regional and international financial institutions.”