Qatar Signs Pact to Expand Maritime Transport Sector

Qatar signed the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMOU) on Portal State Control during its participation in the 21st Port State Control Committee Meeting held last week in Australia, where a delegation from Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications took part.

“Qatar’s membership in the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding will take Qatar’s maritime transport sector from local arena to the international one, leading the region in portal state control field,” said Dr. Saleh Fetais al-Marri, General Supervisor of Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).

The Memorandum will contribute to the enhancement of the maritime transport sector in the State of Qatar through applying the highest international standards in the field of ship inspection, as well as elevating the quality of national vessels in terms of safety and security, he added.

The MoU will help train national cadres to execute better ship inspection works under the umbrella of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The MOU on Port State Control for the Indian Ocean region is signed by the maritime authorities of 21 countries including among others Australia, France, India, Oman and South Africa. All the signatory countries have come together to combat sub-standard shipping in the Indian Ocean region. The MOU came into effect in 1999.