Dubai facilitates crew change of 3,000 seafarers

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) said its cooperation with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) had seen 1,700 seafarers sign on and 1,300 sign off in its territorial waters.

The 3,000 crew changes represent an achievement at a time when a number of other ports and states are again tightening regulations in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

DMCA said it had witnessed growth in marine activities in territorial waters while maintaining full compliance with the Dubai Health Authority and ensuring confirmed flights from the UAE. It added that the authorities continue to receive hundreds of requests to change crews of different nationalities.

Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, executive director of DMCA said: "The resumption of the marine crew change operations comes from our constant efforts to guarantee the highest levels of health, safety and security of seafarers, visitors and workers within the maritime sector.

“The move has proved to be a strong boost to national efforts to revitalize the economic movement in the post-corona period, which prompts us to continue providing the necessary facilities for the return of marine activities while following strict precautionary measures that ensure the change of ship crew members and managing its operations are conducted with full efficiency, in line with Dubai’s leading position as one of the most competitive, safe, and attractive marine capitals in the world. "

Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.