Emirates Press

DUBAI: The Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows has facilitated the entry of about 3,000 wooden ships during the first quarter of 2024, transporting over 390,000 metric tonnes of various materials and food items through Al Hamriya Port, Deira Wharfage and Dubai Creek.

The accomplishment reflects the comprehensive efforts of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) to strengthen Dubai’s emergence as a leading global maritime commercial centre.

The Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows has also announced its complete preparedness to receive Eid Al-Fitr goods, with arrangements initiated at the beginning of Ramadan to ensure their smooth delivery to the markets.

Speaking about the milestone, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), said that the increase in trade activity involving wooden ships traveling from Dubai to international destinations reflects the concerted efforts of PCFC in realising the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to double the size
of Dubai’s economy over the next decade, and reinforce its position among the top three global cities. Additionally, it underscores Dubai’s role as a major global commercial hub, attracting trade in diverse sectors through its various ports.

He underscored the consistent rise in record-breaking achievements, particularly in the volume of imports and exports to and from Dubai, year after year. Bin Sulayem also emphasised the impactful role played by PCFC, notably through the Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows, in advancing trade and business in Dubai.

Bin Sulayem added that the Agency streamlines entry and exit processes for wooden ships through Dubai Creek, Deira Wharfage and Al Hamriya Port. This includes completing berth reservation procedures and notifying sailors to prepare their goods for export or import.

Additionally, the Agency is dedicated to safeguarding the interests of wooden ships in Dubai by ensuring the safety and meeting the needs of sailors during their stay in the emirate. This approach aims
to ensure customer satisfaction, while aligning with government initiatives to deliver top-notch, highly efficient and quality services across diverse economic sectors.

‘The Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows is actively engaged in implementing several initiatives initiatives in collaboration with key partners and competent authorities in the country, including the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Dubai Customs, and DP World, as well as shipping and clearing companies. These initiatives aim to streamline the clearance process, regulate the entry and exit of wooden ships, and enhance overall operational efficiency,’ Bin Sulayem said.

Since the beginning of 2024, the quantity of food supplies, encompassing vegetables, fruits and livestock, has surpassed 140,000 metric tonnes, with approximately 220,000 livestock and sheep processed through Al Hamriya Port during this period.

The Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows has made notable progress with the implementation of the ‘NAU’ smart application, which f
ully digitises trade processes for traditional wooden ships. This innovative tool empowers ship owners to seamlessly search for, negotiate and reserve goods. By employing artificial intelligence techniques, the application enhances voyage planning and maximises the utilisation of ship space, leading to smoother procedures and increased revenue generation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Trends Research and Advisory has released a new study titled ‘AI Skies: Transforming Weather Prediction and Climate Awareness.’ The study explores how AI is transforming weather forecasting with an unprecedented level of accuracy.

The study, conducted by Noor Al Mazrouei, Head of the AI and advanced technology programme at Trends, showed that by analysing colossal amounts of data collected from satellites, weather forecasting stations and other sources, AI systems can predict extreme weather events more accurately, allowing for improved disaster preparedness and risk management.

The advent of AI applications in meteorology has ushered in a new era of personalised weather services, directly catering to the varying needs of different users and industries.

The study highlighted the societal benefits of AI in weather forecasting, such as enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts, which are essential for sound planning and decision-making across different sectors of society.

The study discussed ho
w artificial intelligence has become a pivotal tool for simplifying and interpreting complex climate data, enabling decision-makers and scientists to make better decisions. It explains the potential of artificial intelligence in raising public awareness of climate change through platforms that translate complex climate data into an easy-to-understand format.

The study concluded that AI not only improves weather forecasting, but fundamentally changes the way we understand and address climate challenge.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued directives to settle the outstanding financial dues of UAE resident students registered in the country’s government schools for previous years of study at a total cost of AED155 million.

The initiative taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan epitomises the values of giving rooted in the UAE community and is part of his approach to provide support to students and enhance their drive to succeed in their studies.

The initiative covers students residing in the UAE and registered in UAE government schools, where all their outstanding dues for their studies until the 2023-2024 academic year will be settled, in coordination with the Emirates Schools Establishment.

Source: Emirates News Agency

HUALIEN COUNTY: Twenty-four out of a total of 25 people who were trapped in a severely tilted building in China’s Taiwan region after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake were rescued, one other found died as rescue efforts were wrapped up at around 22:00 on Wednesday.

According to a report by China Central Television, an earthquake struck the waters off Hualien County in the Taiwan region at 07:58 on Wednesday. The 10-story Uranus Building, which housed a combination of residential units and commercial shops, was observed to be leaning dangerously and at risk of collapsing.

The local fire department said that from the morning since the building was first hit by the earthquake to the evening, the displacement had increased by five centimetres and the building could collapse at any time due to constant aftershocks.

Many of its residents managed to flee when shockwaves hit with rescuers working through the day to free people trapped inside. Rescuers found a woman inside the building who already had no vital signs.

Lo
cal fire departments also dispatched tower cranes, excavators and trucks to position large rocks to support the structure and prevent its full collapse.

The quake had left nine people dead and 1,011 other people injured as of 22:00 Wednesday, according to the local emergency operation centre.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people were trapped following the earthquake that hit the sea area near Hualien County, Taiwan, data from the centre showed.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake had been followed by more than 200 aftershocks as of 22:37 Wednesday.

A total of 48 buildings in Hualien County were damaged in the earthquake, four of which were seriously damaged. Most residents have been evacuated safely.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has created a plan to ensure safe passenger transportation services during daily trips between cities over the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

This plan involves intensifying daily passenger trips, with an expected 6,330 trips to be operated on all transportation lines between cities from 9th to 12th April.

Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of the Sharjah RTA, stated that the emirate’s location has made it a hub for many Arab and foreign nationalities. As a result, the Authority is working to keep pace with the increasing number of users of transportation services, specifically buses, by developing plans and adopting strategies that enhance transportation services. These strategies include transportation operations on various lines in the emirate, with a focus on achieving high levels of smoothness and comfort through safer means of transportation.

The Authority has completed its readiness to receive well-wishers on Eid Al- Fitr by providing sufficient number
s of buses to accommodate transportation users in the emirate. It has allocated 789 buses to work on transport lines between cities during that period. The Authority’s goal is to provide all means of comfort to its users on an ongoing basis.

The Authority has adopted several strategies to transport passengers during the holiday. One of these is reducing the time gap between buses operated by the Authority daily and on 15 main lines between cities, to reach five minutes at peak time during the Eid holiday out of 45 minutes on regular days. This serves to achieve smooth transportation and avoid crowding of passengers at the stations. This step is part of the Authority’s directions to increase the operating capacity of trips and improve the quality of service provided to the public, aiming to provide flexible and easy trips at times that suit all the requirements of transportation users in the emirate.

The proactive plan to accommodate the growth in the number of passengers included increasing the number of em
ployees and work crew on duty during the Eid holiday to the appropriate extent to regulate the movement of passengers within Jubail Station and other stations.

Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, Director of the Authority for Transportation Affairs, revealed that the Maritime Transport Department of the Roads and Transport Authority has completed its preparations for sea trips during the days of Eid Al Fitr. The maritime transport service between the Emirates of Sharjah and Dubai will be implemented during the holiday at a rate of four trips per day. The trips will depart from Aquarium Marine Transport Station in Sharjah to Al Ghubaiba station in Dubai. This will be done within the framework of joint coordination and cooperation with the RTA in Dubai.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock (SDAL) confirmed that the wheat farm in Mleiha produces the ‘Saba Sanabel” flour with the highest protein content internationally, greater than 19 percent.

The success of Sharjah wheat is credited to the initiatives and supervision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, according to Dr. Engineer Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

‘Saba Sanabel” is now considered the best type on the planet thanks to its exceptionally high protein content and lack of any fertilisers, pesticides, or other potentially dangerous compounds.

Al Tunaiji attributed the high percentage of Sharjah wheat “Saba Sanabel” produced at the Mleiha wheat farm to the organic farming system. This system helps improve the fertility and content of the soil, which in turn ensures that the wheat grains are of higher quality and type.

He also stressed the need to use desalinated water for i
rrigation, which is free of contaminants. This results in an increase in grain production and protein content because water speeds up the transfer of dry matter from stems and leaves to grains, a key component in plant development.

Since SDAL’s “Saba Sanabel” flour is grown using a chemical-free process and is fertilised only with natural manure, it has earned five quality and safety accreditation certifications.

Thus, Sharjah wheat is free of toxins and chemical components that could change its nature as a food ingredient or make it more productive. It meets the quality and safety criteria applicable in the UAE, which boosts customer trust and helps it compete in the markets. As a result, it is the first national product to get the “Made in the UAE” logo.

Source: Emirates News Agency