Q. Despite the fact that Jadaf Dubai is about to move from its current location to the new location, there are many companies seeking a foothold in the current location, how do you explain that?

A: I would like to point out that the process of moving Jadaf Dubai from its current location to the new one shall be made according to a carefully planned manner and with accuracy of details either at the level of companies or the level of Jadaf Dubai administration. Also, the moving process shall be made in many phases:

1. For the companies: During the process of moving we shall be careful not to affect the work of the companies that are moving with us to the new location. The plan dictates that the work of companies shall continue in the current location of Jadaf Dubai, for those who have works, and at the same time they shall start preparing their offices and workshops at the new location. This aims to make the process of moving as smooth and positive and it shall be made in the manner they deem fit in coordination with Jadaf Dubai administration.
2. as for the administration and divisions attached to it, they will move according to complete training and coordination plan that is keen on the continuity of works and performance and the smoothness of the process of moving.

As for the companies' running to Jadaf Dubai, that is due to move than one reason:

1. Jadaf Dubai, the same as all the establishments and departments of Dubai Government, acquired a vast experience and good international reputation which qualified it to attract the companies specialized in building and maintenance of ships from all over the world. Perhaps the figures and statistics confirm that. I can assure you that if we had a larger area in the current location then the number of companies would have become number of companies would have become double of the present number "about 270 companies".

2. The second reason is that Dubai Maritime City if which "Jadaf Dubai" had become a part, marketed the concept "the city's concept" throughout the world through attending marine conferences and exhibitions in all parts of the world and picked the fruits of this sound marketing by registering hundreds of companies (more than 800 companies) both from inside and outside the United Arab Emirates and the registration for this new city is still going on.

Q. How do you see the future Jadaf Dubai after moving to its new location?

A: There is no doubt that there will be a vast modernization process according to a planned strategy that including all aspects of work at Jadaf Dubai after moving to its new location. There will be modernization in the devices and machinery of docking and undocking in terms of capacity, tonnage and lengths, which will be increased to accommodate the needs of the work in the future and so that it will be complementing the dry dock work where the gap that currently exists between the capacities of the two establishments. Also, there will be a new work system that is more advanced and more responsive to the modern needs in terms of speed, accuracy and quality in the field of the service along with giving the right attention to the environmental aspects.

Q. wills these equipments be competitive with what is available in the Dubai Dry Docks?

A: Definitely not, Jadaf Dubai dose not compete with the companies or the Dubai Dry Docks, it provides services for all of them and our work shall be complementary to that of the Dry Docks and not competitive. The Dry Docks can make use of the dry berths which "Jadaf Dubai" shall provide in its contracting with the small ships and which maintenance is considered as costly for the big docks available in the Dry Docks. This way, the Dry Docks could contract with the smaller ships and then carry out the maintenance at Jadaf Dubai dry berths where the prices shall be more economic compared to those similar at the Dry Docks, and which confirms the integration of the works.

Mr. Hamed continues to say: as for the companies, the process of moving Jadaf Dubai to its new location is considered a big qualitative step. The companies in the present location have reached their maximum capacity due to the nature of the location and its limitation at the end of the creek on one hand and the old devices that are second hand currently, on the other hand.

Therefore moving the work from within the narrow closed creek frame with all the impediments that affect the companies work progress, to the wide horizon and the open seas overlooking is considered as an excellent qualities step ahead for the companies that should make the maximum benefit thereof.

Q. Among the facilities that Dubai Maritime City accommodates is a marine academy that could help in the fields of training or offer educational courses in fields related to the works and activities of Jadaf Dubai, is this true?

A. Yes, this is true, through our work in Jadaf Dubai, we noticed that there is a big shortage in the specialization in marine docks and the work therein, and the intended academy could graduate youth specialized in these fields and other activities related to the various marine works, which are many. The proposed academy could grant world certificates in the fields of study it holds and particularly those the sip maintenance docks need.

Q. what is the role of Jadaf Dubai in Dubai Maritime City, and will it be subject to the present regulation or it will be subject to the regulations of the Free Zone, or the Dubai Maritime City shall have its own system?

A: So far, these issues were not discussed in details, but all options are open. The area could be divided into units of which some shall be subject to a special work system and some others to the sale system while a third shall be subject to rent system. However, I can assure you that no decision has been made concerning these systems, but it is certain that this will be done before to the new location which we hope shall be made by the end of the year 2006.

Q. some of companies, during their work in Jadaf Dubai, sometimes committed some violations; will these companies have a place in the new Jadaf Dubai?

A: The transitional period for Jadaf Dubai, shall be a phase of reevaluation for the companies work and those that committed many violations and those who did not abide by the prevailing regulations, we shall have our saying about them, and maybe they will not have a place in the new Jadaf Dubai. These companies subject themselves for boycott by the owners and customers unless they are committed to due dates and specifications, and consequently, they should keep away from Jadaf Dubai, unless prove their seriousness and commitment.

Q: Protection of environment is among those matters that Jadaf Dubai deals with great importance especially that it is located at the end of Dubai Creek, what about environment and its protection in the new location?

A: The United Arab Emirates have placed maximum importance on environment and improvised for that an annual prize to be given to the best company, establishment or department that takes care of the environment and preserves it and this prize is given in the name of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, God mercy him. "Jadaf Dubai", is one of the establishments of Dubai Government that places an absolute importance on environment and its protection. This responsibility had moved lately to Ports, Customs and Free Zone Authority who established a department importance and protection of environment from pollution in all of its forms and kinds is always of great importance for us in the new location at Dubai Maritime City.

Q: What about the present location of Jadaf Dubai, What projects shall be held there?

A: Dubai Government shall develop the area and to make the best use of it and perhaps in tourism and building projects or other things useful to the country. All I know is that Government shall cleanse the creek from the pollutants and remove the industrial impurities from it and there will be a project of a third bridge in the area on which opposite bank shall be a huge tourist and residential city.