DMA introduces new decision on transparency of container charges

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

The Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, the regulator of the shipping and maritime sector in Dubai, has announced the introduction of Administrative Decision No. 2 of 2023 on the Transparency of Local Sea Container Charges in Dubai Directive, which is designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and competitiveness across Dubai’s maritime sector.

The Administrative Decision, which follows extensive industry-wide consultation as part of the DMA’s formal stakeholder partnership programme, comes into force from August 1st 2023, and is also driven by a thorough analysis of the industry and local sea container charges conducted by the DMA, which will bring more transparency to the maritime industry and ease of doing business in Dubai.

The new Administrative Decision, introduced under the enhanced mandate, outlines five important changes which will help ensure the adoption of global best practices across Dubai’s maritime ecosystem.

Firstly, Administrative Decision No. 2 of 2023 on the Transparency of Local Sea Container Charges in Dubai Directive, brings the freezing of sea container charges introduced by Directive No. 1 of 2023 on Transparency of Local Sea Container Charges in Dubai to an end.

Secondly, the new Administrative Decision requires providers of local sea container services to openly publish details of their previously filed charges with DMA on their corporate website within 30 days, thereby enhancing transparency for their customers.

Thirdly, it allows providers of local sea containers services to file for amendment of their local charges through the Dubai Trade single-window as per the defined process by the Authority.

Fourthly, having undertaken an extensive analysis of the charges submitted by service providers, the Dubai Maritime Authority has acted to introduce a new mechanism where service providers will charge directly for their services, and the local Port Operator will issue invoices separately for their provided services such as its Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and Truck Loading and Unloading Charges (TLUC) directly to the relevant user, as well as collect payment directly via the Dubai Trade Platform.

Finally, all Delivery Orders will be issued digitally through Dubai Trade Digital Delivery order platform to strengthen Dubai’s position as a digital city, notng that future details for implementation will be published in due course.

The publication of Administrative Decision No. 2 of 2023 on the Transparency of Local Sea Container Charges in Dubai Directive will increase Dubai’s competitiveness as a leading global trade hub.

Meanwhile, Arabian Drilling Company (“Arabian Drilling” or the “Company”) (Tadawul symbol: 2381), one of the largest national onshore and offshore drilling contractor in Saudi Arabia, announced multiple contracts awards from Aramco for ten (10) additional Land Rigs. The contracts’ firm terms durations (i.e., excluding options) are five (5) years with estimated aggregate contracts value representing over three (3) billion Saudi Riyals.

These ten (10) contracts awards are for additional land rigs assigned to Aramco’s Unconventional Program. All ten (10) land rigs are new-builds to be added to the Company’s current land rig fleet of 38 units, representing a land rig fleet increase of 26%.

Ghassan Mirdad, Chief Executive Officer of Arabian Drilling, commented: “We are delighted with Aramco’s trust in awarding Arabian Drilling these multiple contracts, providing us with the opportunity to establish our footprint in the Unconventional Program. This award fits perfectly with our growth strategy execution and we have strengthened the Company’s balance sheet precisely to be able to support growth capex opportunities like this one.

We continue to see a positive outlook in the market and pursue our growth strategy in the Kingdom, while remaining focused on achieving the highest health, safety and environment standards across our operations. “

Arabian Drilling is the Saudi Drilling winning onshore and offshore oil and gas rig drilling company in Saudi Arabia with an extensive track record of operational excellence and a history of innovation that has brought tremendous safety and efficiency gains to the drilling process.

Established in 1964, Arabian Drilling is the leader in the drilling sector in Saudi Arabia, with founders and majority shareholders the Industrialization & Energy Services Company (TAQA), a Saudi Joint Stock company and SLB (previously known as Services Patrollers Schlumberger S.A.), a global leader in oilfield services.

Arabian Drilling serves clients including Saudi Aramco, Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO), SLB, as well as Baker Hughes, and has a large fleet of onshore and offshore rigs operated by a highly skilled, qualified, and professional staff. Arabian Drilling rigs are built to withstand the harsh weather and desert conditions found in the Middle East region.