Abu Dhabi will refuse old oil tankers entry to their ports from the beginning of next year, to guarantee smooth sailing when it comes to the health and safety of the capital’s shores.
The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) will begin phasing out old oil tankers looking to call the capital their port of call, as implemented by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
The initiative aims to prevent accidental pollution from occurring in the country’s waters by ships in poor condition. The move comes as a reaction to aged oil tankers, which are repeatedly entering Abu Dhabi waters.
ADPC’s new phase out schedule, which was communicated to ship-owners and operators earlier this year, will see oil tankers over 28 years of age will be refused entry from 1st January 2014. And by 1st January 2015 oil tankers older than 25 years of age will be denied entry.
“Maintaining a clean and safe environment around our ports is our top priority at all times. This is a reminder to shipping traffic that as a responsible port owner and manager ADPC strictly monitors the sea traffic and will refuse port access to oil tankers that do not comply with our policy,” said Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, acting CEO, ADPC.
