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Distress calls dropped by 7.6% in 2023. (Image source: Inmarsat)

The 2024 edition of The Future of Maritime Safety Report from Inmarsat Maritime calls for the maritime industry to embrace data sharing and collaborative problem-solving as the industry navigates significant changes, such as the transition to greener propulsion technologies

The report recommends that the shipping industry establishes a list of standard data points to monitor and report, including casualties and incidents, injuries or deaths at sea, and near misses. It also endorses trend analysis to support the development of safety measures, with a particular emphasis on developing risk treatments for well-known and recurring issues.

The report reveals that Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress calls decreased by 7.6% in 2023 over the previous year. Despite this decline, the service was still triggered on 788 occasions, underlining the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and the need for improvements. It highlights the emergence of potential new safety risks associated with future fuels, and escalating geopolitical tensions.

Identifying trends

Peter Broadhurst, senior vice president, Safety and Regulatory, Inmarsat Maritime, said, “By harnessing the power of anonymised safety data, we can identify trends, develop specific mitigation measures, and enhance the overall safety of our ships and crews."

He noted that modern technology offers unprecedented opportunities to improve safety through better data analysis and sharing.

“We collect vast amounts of safety data, yet the current siloed-working model hinders our ability to fully leverage the actionable insights available to us. By pooling data, we can create a more holistic and objective view of maritime safety to inform performance improvements and ultimately reduce the occurrence of preventable safety incidents to save lives at sea.”

These pipes range in diameter from 100 mm to 300 mm. (Image source: Canva)

The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (Sewa) has declared that the northern emirate's Al Haray's commercial and industrial districts will soon have access to electricity.

Following the strictest safety and security guidelines, the first phase aims to establish 12 sub-distribution stations with a voltage of 11 kV and a length of 12 km. The total cost of these stations is US$5.1mn. 

Sewa emphasised that it was still committed to supply the Al Haray development with clean, safe water.

It said that the installation of the main water lines and pipelines has already started.

These pipes range in diameter from 100 mm to 300 mm and are composed of Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) material. To serve all users in the industrial and commercial sections of Al Haray, the pipes will have a total length of 30,000 linear metres.

Saud Abdulaziz, the director of the Khorfakkan Department at Sewa, said it was giving power connection in both industrial and commercial areas of Al Haray.

The implementation of the commercial area link will cost AED 7 million, while the industrial area connection would cost more than AED 12 million.

It also stated that these activities will not stop until a permanent 33 kV main distribution station is built in order to completely power the region.

 

The opening of the new facility. (Image source: Honeywell)

Honeywell has opened its first assembly line dedicated to fire alarm and building management solutions in Saudi Arabia, in line with its strategy to increase localisation in the Kingdom in focus areas

The new facility in Dhahran will provide local and regional markets with Saudi-made products that meet the highest local and international industry standards and will boost the company’s building automation capabilities in the region. It will streamline the delivery process of world-class building automation and critical safety technologies, enabling faster and more efficient distribution of products to customers.

“Around the world, and especially within this region, we are seeing clear alignment between national visions and goals and the need for safer, efficient, smart and sustainable infrastructure,” said Phil Daniell, VP and GM of Honeywell - Business Automation in Middle East, Turkey and Africa. “Urban populations are increasing, and through automation technologies we are able to help cater to this expanded need while helping to tackle carbon emissions and driving efficiency through smarter and safer technology.”

Abdullah Al-Juffali, Honeywell country president of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, added, “This new facility not only enhances our capability to serve our customers with locally manufactured solutions, but also solidifies our commitment to contributing to the Kingdom’s industrial and technological advancements."

DGHR team highlighted several projects aligned with the department's agenda to upgrade human resources in Dubai. (Image source: Canva)

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) recently held a meeting with human resources managers and executive directors from various government entities in the emirate.

Chaired by H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, the meeting took place at Al Ittihad Museum to introduce attendees to the department's major ongoing and proposed projects aimed at improving workforce efficiency and integrating best practices into the government’s work system.

During the meeting, the DGHR team highlighted several projects aligned with the department's agenda to upgrade human resources in Dubai and establish methodologies to empower the government workforce. One key project discussed was the initiative for Measuring Workforce Productivity in the Government of Dubai, which offers precise data and indicators on workforce productivity across government entities. This framework aims to evaluate performance and improve government sector efficiency, supporting the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ and sustainable development goals.

Another focal point was the ‘Dubai Government Jobs Engineering’ project, designed to enhance human resource practices, including compensation and wages, learning and career development, and workforce planning. This project addresses current and future workforce needs of government entities. The meeting also covered the ‘Empowering Human Resources Departments in Government Entities’ project, which provides departments with resources to stay updated on workplace changes and improve HR professionals' skills through specialised training and best practice applications.

Future skills

The ‘General Framework for Government Human Resources Training - Future Skills Dubai’ project was discussed for its role in creating a competitive workforce equipped with skills for future changes, supporting digital transformation, and bolstering the UAE’s national economy. This project will connect training, advisory, and academic entities through a smart platform to facilitate knowledge exchange and improve training effectiveness.

The meeting also reviewed the ‘Human Resources Law, Policies, and Regulations’ project, which aims to develop a unified framework for integrated government human resource management. This project focuses on creating flexible policies based on modern best practices. Additionally, the ‘Financial Allocations Decision Review’ project was discussed to evaluate the competitiveness of compensation and allowances to attract and retain top talent.

H.E. Iman Bin Khatam, Director of Policy and Programme Support at DGHR, said, “At DGHR, we recognise the significance of cooperation, coordination, and collaborative efforts between the department and various stakeholders of Dubai government and this meeting comes in line with this belief. The key goal of the meeting is to enhance human resource capabilities in the emirate and swiftly attain the desired outcomes, further shaping a better future for this sector. We seek to adopt innovative approaches and integrate global best practices in our efforts to enhance the Emirati workforce as well as to support them to seamlessly adapt to rapid changes and meet future requirements. These ambitious projects aid us to establish a cohesive and supportive work environment that improves employee productivity, contributes attaining Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ goals, and reinforces Dubai’s prominent position in the global economy.”

The MIITE Forum took place from 27-28 May this year. (Image source: WAM)

NMDC Group reinforced its commitment to the national industrial strategy through its gold sponsorship and active participation in the third edition of the Make It In The Emirates (MIITE) Forum, which took place from 27-28 May in Abu Dhabi.

The company’s dredging and marine (D&M) division showcased the D&M Dredging Academy, which delivers specialised training across various fields including soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, pipelines, survey techniques, land reclamation, nautical knowledge, health and safety, and project management.

Tech for safety

Additionally, NMDC Energy demonstrated a suite of innovations aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies, safety, and sustainability, while advancing digital transformation within the industry. The Connected Workers Solution, an AI-driven system, enables real-time safety monitoring and optimisation of yard operations. This technology is part of a broader initiative, the Yard Modernisation Initiatives Program, which represents a significant investment of AED 100,000,000 aimed at increasing productivity, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational costs.

The showcase also featured an augmented reality device designed to equip frontline workers with essential information through a voice-enabled, head-mounted display.

This technology significantly enhances safety and efficiency in task completion. Additionally, NMDC Energy exhibited Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) used for underwater tasks in harsh offshore conditions.

These vehicles utilise advanced technology to perform detailed inspections, maintenance, and repairs, eliminating the need for human divers and improving operational safety and efficiency.

Ahmed Al Dhaheri, NMDC Energy CEO, said, "Our participation in the Make It In The Emirates Forum was marked by exciting showcases that demonstrate our leadership in the sector and commitment to technological innovation. Our displays included state-of-the-art equipment designed for complex underwater operations and advanced wearable technology that provides critical information directly to our frontline teams, among others. These advancements reinforce our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our field, significantly enhancing operational capabilities in line with the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy to transform the industrial sector.”

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