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Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Petroleum Ports Authority

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  4. 6. SERVICES IN PORT
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6. SERVICES IN PORT

6.1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1.1 - Specific license for provision of services in port areas

  1. Unless a specific License has been granted for the purpose by the Petroleum Ports Authority, rendering of any services with the Ports is strictly prohibited.
  2. The Petroleum Ports Authority may establish rules for the construction, equipment and manning on such Vessels involved in rendering services.

6.2 - PILOTAGE

6.2.1 - Compulsory Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory for all Vessels calling at or departing from terminals within the Ports, other than the Vessels listed below, or as otherwise ordered by the Harbour Master.

  1. Vessels of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Defence Forces
  2. Vessels belonging to CICPA
  3. Dredgers, survey, project vessels, tugs, barges and special ancillary non-cargo boats on contract to the Petroleum Port Petroleum Ports Authority or ADNOC Group Company
  4. Agent Boats
  5. Pleasure crafts

In all above mentioned cases, however the Harbour Master may enforce the use of a Pilot in the pursuit of securing safety, in which case appropriate tariff for the availed Marine Service shall apply.

6.2.2 - Completion of pre- arrival or pre-departure formalities

Vessels may be piloted to or from berths only after pre arrival or pre departure formalities have been completed, and all required information has been submitted to the Harbour Master, the Petroleum Ports Authority and the Pilot.

6.2.3 - Organization - License to provide Pilotage Services

Any organization, legal entity or individual may only provide Pilotage Services in the Ports and in the waters leading to these Ports if they hold a valid License for that purpose.

6.2.4 - Organization Pilotage License - Specifications

A Pilotage License shall specify either directly or by reference to other instruments of the Petroleum Ports Authority:

  1. The quality and features of the organization required to provide safe and efficient pilotage services
  2. Requirements with regards to the skills and proficiency of the Pilots provided and the system in which these are maintained at the required level.
  3. Requirements as to the quality management of the organization providing the Pilotage services.
  4. Requirements with regards to human resources;
  5. Requirements with regards to the hours of service provided, response times and similar issues.

6.2.5 - Individual - Pilotage License

No person(s) may act as a Pilot within the Ports or in the waters leading to or from these Ports, unless:

  1. That person holds a valid Pilot License issued by the Petroleum Ports Authority and
  2. That person is an employee of or acts under the supervision of a Legal Person or entity that holds a valid license as indicated in article 6.2.4.

    3. 6.2.6 - Certification of Pilots

    1. Upon receipt of a written application for a competence certificate as a Pilot, the Petroleum Ports Authority shall assess the application based on the following criteria:
      1. Whether the applicant has credentials from an accredited nautical institute certifying his qualification as a Pilot and/or has passed both theoretical and practical examinations prepared and conducted by the Petroleum Ports Authority and.
      2. Whether the applicant has a valid medical certificate from an ADNOC approved medical practitioner indicating physical (including vision and hearing) and mental fitness of the individual.
    2. ii. The Petroleum Ports Authority may, in order to facilitate pilots’ education and training or as a temporary and emergency measure, authorize a competent person who has not obtained a Pilot’s license, to act as a pilot subject to such conditions as it deems necessary.

    6.2.7 - Identification of Pilots

    1. A Pilot shall always be in the possession of a proof of identification, issued by the organization mentioned in Article 6.2.3, paragraph 1, stating:
      1. The name of the Pilot,
      2. Date of Birth in DD/MM/YYYY format
      3. The serial number of his/her license and its’ validity, and
      4. The organization with which he/she is associated.
    2. During operations the Pilot shall upon request produce his identity card to appropriate Petroleum Ports Authority, personnel.

    6.2.8 - Suspension and cancellation of Individual Pilot's License

    1. The Harbour Master may suspend the License of a Pilot if he is of the reasonable opinion that the individual is negligent in his duties as a Pilot or behaves in a manner inconsistent with the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities.
    2. After any such suspension, the Petroleum Ports Authority shall initiate an inquiry to determine the circumstances and merits of the suspension.
    3. The Petroleum Ports Authority may cancel the License of a Pilot if it is satisfied upon inquiry that the individual either lacks the competence or qualities required of a Pilot, and/or has been negligent in his duties as a Pilot and/or has behaved in a manner inconsistent with the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities.

    6.2.9 - Duty of a Pilot - Limitations

    The duty of a Pilot is confined to offering advice to the Master of the Vessel. No Pilot appointed by the Petroleum Ports Authority when acting in his capacity as a Pilot, shall be deemed to be in command of any Vessel.

    6.2.10 - Responsibility of Master

    A Pilot provided by the Petroleum Ports Authority will undertake the pilotage, anchorage, mooring and sailing of Vessels subject to the understanding that in all circumstances, the Master of any Vessel remains solely responsible, on behalf of his owners or operators remains solely responsible, for the safety and proper navigation of his Vessel.

    6.2.11 - Permanent Exemption from Pilotage

    1. All marine crafts owned by or under command of the Petroleum Ports Authority, and all UAE government or naval vessels are exempt from pilotage.
    2. Master which has valid Pilotage Exemption Certificate issued by the Petroleum Ports Authority.
    3. The Petroleum Ports Authority may issue a pilotage exemption certificate to an individual ship Master, if the individual ship Master fulfils the criteria as set out by the Authority and on the basis of an assessment.

    6.2.12 - Validity of exemption certificate

    An exemption certificate issued under Article 6.2.11 hereof shall be valid for a maximum of one year. The Petroleum Ports Authority may revoke/suspend it earlier on valid grounds>

    6.2.13 - Display of pilot signals

    Vessels with a Pilot on board, shall by day display the international signal flag “H” in a prominent position whilst maneuvering under his advice and by night, display appropriate lights as per International regulations for preventing collisions at sea 1972 (Rules of the Road).

    6.2.14 - Duties of the Master – Embarkation and Disembarkation of Pilots

    The Vessel’s Master shall comply fully with the requirements of safe embarkation and disembarkation of Pilots as prescribed by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) & International Maritime Organization IMO.

    6.2.15 - Obligation to Inform regarding Damage, Defects

    The Master of a Vessel is obliged to inform the Harbor Master and Pilot of any damage, defects or special circumstances that may affect the safety of navigation prior to entering the Port.

    6.3 - TOWAGE

    6.3.1 - Organization - License to provide Towage Services

    Any organization, legal entity or individual may only provide towage services in the Ports and in the waters leading to these Ports if they hold a valid License for that purpose. The License shall specify the requirements that the organization must fulfil in the interest of order, safety and efficiency in Port.

    6.3.2 - Requirements of vessels and crew

    All vessels which are used for towage services shall comply with the requirements laid down by the Petroleum Ports Authority. Such compliance shall be verifiable by the scrutiny of certification issued by a Petroleum Ports Authority recognized institution. In the interest of safety of towage, the Petroleum Ports Authority shall prescribe requirements and rules with respect to the number, health, skills and proficiency of the crews on board such vessels.

    6.3.3 - Utilization of tugs - Tug Usage in Petroleum Ports

    Except for ADNOC LNG berth # 4, where minimum 3 & maximum 4 tugs are utilized for berthing/unberthing, every vessel must use at least two (2) tugs for berthing, unberthing operations (for Cruise Vessels the requirement may vary depending on agreement between the Pilot and the master of the Cruise Vessel). However, the Master of the vessel may request additional tugs to be used for ensuring the safety of operations, if any additional tug is used, it will be charged to the owners as per the tariff appended in 3.2.6. at additional cost.

    6.3.4 - Employment of tugs during towage

    When towage is provided the Master and crew of the Tug shall be considered employees of the hirer and shall be under his control or that of his agents.

    6.3.5 - Towage operations for Project vessels or other towage operations within Petroleum Ports

    1. The owner, operator and master of the tugs engaged in towing operations must ensure full compliance with FMA circular 01/2023 (Requirements for towing operations in UAE waters and ports)
    2. No towage operations will be allowed without full compliance with the requirements stipulated in the subject circular.

    6.4 - LINE HANDLING

    6.4.1 - Definitions

    For the application of this section it is deemed that:

    1. Line handlers: Person/s who have been issued a License by the / Petroleum Ports Authority for conducting the mooring and unmooring of seagoing Vessels.
    2. Mooring Foremen: Persons in charge of mooring gangs / line handlers
    3. Boat: Is a vessel built or used for mooring and unmooring of seagoing Vessels.

    6.4.2 - Use of line handlers

    The Master/Agent of any Vessel shall ensure that the mooring and unmooring services are only provided by Line handlers who belong to an Organization duly licensed for this purpose by the Petroleum Ports Authority.

    6.4.3 - License of Line handler/s Mooring Organizations

    1. Line handling services may only be provided by an organization holding a License for that purpose issued by the Petroleum Ports Authority.
    2. The License shall specify, either directly or by reference to other regulations issued by the Petroleum Ports Authority, the requirements that the organization must fulfil in the interest of order, safety and efficiency in Port.
    3. These requirements aim inter alia at guaranteeing:
      1. the professional skill of persons mooring and unmooring Vessels,
      2. the organization of training and refresher-courses to assure the professional skill of personnel, and
      3. the availability, maintenance and management of the material and equipment required for mooring and unmooring.
    4. The Petroleum Ports Authority may suspend or cancel the License of the aforesaid organization if it does not observe the regulations or limitations in force.

    6.4.4 - Identification of Line handlers

    1. Individual line handlers shall always be in the possession of a proof of identification, issued by the organization mentioned in Article 4.4.3 stating:
      1. Name
      2. Date of Birth in DD/MM/YYYY format
      3. The number of his/her certificate and its’ validity, and
      4. The organization with which he/she is associated.
    2. During operations the linesman shall upon request show the identity card to the relevant Petroleum Ports Authority/personnel.

     

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