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The National Transport Authority (NTA) of UAE is to be renamed the Federal Authority of Land and Maritime Transport, following a decision taken by the National Federal Council at its recent meeting in Abu Dhabi. Federal Law No.1 of 1972 has been used to effect the change in name, which aims to highlight the Authority’s position and Federal role in developing transport systems within both the land and maritime sectors, on a local, regional and international level. The decision has been taken to better describe the true aim and purpose of the Authority and to avoid any misinterpretation caused by its previous nomenclature.
One of the Authority’s main goals is to regulate policies, laws and legislation on maritime services and promote the competitiveness of the sector in the UAE. Key initiatives include raising the bar in terms of environmental performance and maritime safety, boosting the UAE’s competitive position in the maritime sector and enhancing cooperation with other specialised authorities to achieve national targets in the maritime transport field.
The Authority also seeks to regulate the UAE’s land transport sector by preparing and enacting new legalisation for transport systems including the railways, enhancing safety and environmental protection and strengthening cooperation with other relevant authorities.
The Director General of the NTA, HE Salem Ali Al Zaabi, says the underlying aims and objectives of the organisation will remain the same, but will be better represented by the new name. He says, “The NTA was established in 2006 to succeed the Ministry of Communications in the United Arab Emirates and since then it has embarked upon developing strategies as well as a new organisational structures and procedures, and the necessary human and technological developments, in line with the strategic vision and approaches of the leadership of the country. The main objective of the NTA is to regulate, supervise and develop plans and programs necessary for promoting this vital sector in the UAE and that will not change.”
Al Zaabi is emerging as a key player within the UAE’s maritime and transport sectors. As well as his role at NTA, he is chairman of the United Arab Shipping Company and vice chairman of the Emirates Classification Society, TASNEEF and also vice chairman of Gulf Navigation Holding.
Earlier this year he signed a newbuild order for an additional six, 18,000 and 14,000 TEU containerships for UASC. At the time HE Salem Ali Al Zaabi remarked, “The vessel order positions UASC to deliver on its long-term growth objectives and the unique design features of the vessels ensure that UASC will set new industry benchmarks for fuel economy and environmental performance.”
