In its continuous endeavor to protect the environment and guarantee safety in all of its ports, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the master developer of ports and industrial zones is, in line with international maritime regulations, firmly applying a phase-out schedule for old oil tankers.

ADPC's phase-out schedule has been designed in addition to the phase-out schedule already implemented by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).

ADPC is advising all port customers and potential port visitors that entry will be refused to oil tankers older than 30 years of age. While oil tankers which exceed 28 years of age will be refused entry from 1 January 2014, and the same rule will apply to oil tankers older than 25 years of age, from 1 January 2015.

Commenting on the implementation of the phase-out schedule, Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Acting CEO, ADPC, said: Maintaining a clean and safe environment around our ports is our top priority at all times. This is a reminder to shipping traffic that as a responsible port owner and manager ADPC strictly monitors the sea traffic and will refuse port access to oil tankers that do not comply with our policy.

With this initiative we are not only acting in our role as a major maritime institution following the requirements of the National Transport Authority (NTA), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, but also in our role as a responsible corporate citizen protecting Abu Dhabi's beautiful waters and landscape.

The phase-out schedule, which has already been communicated to ship-owners, operators, agents and charterers earlier this year, is a reaction to old oil tankers which are repeatedly entering Abu Dhabi waters and, due to their poor condition, threaten the environment and safety at sea.