Exclusive : Captain Emad Islam to “Blue Economy” A committee to follow up Officials in Maritime Transport

 There is no legislation issued by the organization regarding ports except for the Facilitation Agreement which is concerned with organizing the procedures for handling goods at the port

 Interview by Magdy Sadek :

 Translated by Shereen Elgohry

A distinct breakthrough in the development of the Saudi naval fleet in size and type

 Imad Islam, advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Transport for Maritime Security and Safety, stressed in a special dialogue to “Blue Economy” the need to form a committee at the highest level that includes all elements of maritime transport from the public, business and private sectors to follow up the performance of officials

International agreements 

Islam stressed the importance of reviewing a mechanism to keep pace with international agreements, whether in terms of implementation or continuously following up their amendments

Beirut port explosion 

The former advisor to the Minister of Transport for Maritime Security and Safety indicated that there is no legislation issued by the organization regarding ports except for the Facilitation Agreement, which is concerned with organizing the procedures for handling goods at the port, which was followed after the events of September 2001, by the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port utilities, which mainly concerned ships, which was effective as one of the Elements of the Beirut port explosion.

Safety and security of ports 

The former advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Transport for Security and Maritime Safety, admitted that the world’s ports suffer from poor security, which is what requires the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to put in place strict legislation for the leadership levels for the safety and security of ports. 

 Many question marks we raised in this meeting in search of answers

1. How do you see the Egyptian and Arab maritime transport system in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Covid 19 pandemic ?!

A clear visibility should be set up regarding the current position of the local maritime transport in comparison with the global maritime transport should be preceded the establishment or development of the maritime transport plan. 

Should be set up regarding the current position of the local maritime transport in comparison with the global maritime transport

This vision should be prepared by the competent maritime authority, with the participation of all the beneficiaries as elements of maritime transport from the public sector, the business sector, the private sector, and chambers and federations …

This is based on the global orientation, considering that the main role of the Maritime Authority is to act as a service agency working for the benefit of all elements of maritime transport, thus the interest of the state.

Then, if the selection and designation of those responsible for maritime transport is the responsibility of the competent minister, then the responsibility for monitoring the performance of the officials shall go to a committee at the highest level that includes all elements of maritime transport from public sector, business and private sectors.

General strategy for the development of the maritime transport system can be determined

This committee shall have the responsibility of following up the performance of the administrators and Authorities in implementing the maritime transport strategy, and to recommend their opinion to the competent Minister to withdraw dependability.

Within this perspective, the current position of the maritime transport system compared to the global maritime transport system is determined.

Then, in light of the available resources and capabilities that can be relied upon from all the elements of maritime transport, the desired development is determined within a specific period that needed for achievement.

Accordingly, the general strategy for the development of the maritime transport system can be determined, which shall divided into a set of objectives, each of which is linked to the resources and capabilities available for each component of maritime transport and the time period required to achieve it.

In light of the data and information that have been prepared as the goals of the developed general strategy of maritime transport, the organizational structure of the maritime transport system and job descriptions are developed, and then operational plans can be prepared to achieve the specified goals, and then responsibilities are assigned.

Based on the principle of managing by achievements and not by activities, It is taken into consideration that the General strategy plans implementation shall be monitored periodically by the high level Committee and reporting to the competent minister.

2- Digitalization has become a major challenge for our maritime ports. Are you optimistic ?!

Egypt, with its tourism resources, has not yet attracted the required volume of cruise passenger ships for Egyptian ports, or the expansion of re-export trade and the benefit from the distinguished geographical location, as well as the Marine services that can be provided along the Suez Canal and the economic zone, as well as the importance of following up Technological development in the maritime field, whether digitalization or others that affect the efficiency of the performance of maritime transport components.

3. Maritime legislation in Egypt, does it need a review to keep pace with the changes in the transport industry !?

Maritime conventions are the backbone of global maritime transport, and therefore there is great importance to review the system of keeping pace with international agreements, whether in terms of implementation or following up on their amendments on an ongoing basis for the purpose of full and continuous implementation.  The shortest way to implement this is the real concern in the qualified human element according to standard levels for which the International Maritime Organization established the Institute of Maritime Law in Malta.

4. How do you read Saudi Arabia’s steps towards developing the maritime transport and logistics system in light of Vision 2030 ?!

There is a distinct leap in the development of the Saudi maritime fleet in size and type, but it must be accompanied by a clear vision of the Saudi maritime transport system and its development, with the possibility of planning the integration of both the maritime transport systems in Egypt and the Kingdom.

5-What do you comment about the hackers who hacked IMO and CMA at the same time, so is cyber security an urgent matter in the era of digitization ?!

Following up the international agreements and their amendments is sufficient to deal with any negative or positive development that occurs to the maritime transport industry, including digital piracy or what is called cyber-security.

6- Are you satisfied with the maritime safety and security system in Egypt ?!

Ports in the world suffer from the weak interest of the International Maritime Organization in developing legislation for standard levels for port safety and security, and this may be for considering the ports as an internal matter for countries.

Accordingly, there is few legislation issued by the International Maritime organization regarding ports such like the Facilitation Convention, which is concerned with organizing the procedures for handling goods at ports, and after the events of September 2001, the International Maritime Organization adopted the international Security Code for Ships and Port Facilities, which is mainly concerned with ships.

Egypt is considered one of the first countries had implemented the requirements of the International Code for Security of Ships and Port Facilities through the Maritime Security Institute at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and the most important feature of it is that the institute keeps abreast of all modifications to this code and its inclusion in the security plans, whether for ships or port facilities.

7. Maritime education is one of the most pressing issues in Egypt and the Arab region, how do you see it ?! And what will be in light of automation ?!

Maritime education is a key element in the maritime transport system.  The presence of standard curricula issued by the International Maritime Organization an be considered as  the starting point for any educational body in the Arab and international maritime field. 

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport is considering the largest regional educational entity in the maritime field at the Arab and Middle East region, which confirms that it has a fundamental and pioneering role as an educational beacon for all educational entities in the Arab region, which if attention is paid to, this will contribute to raising the efficiency of workers in the maritime field in Egypt and region)

8. Do you think the MLC. 2006, which Egypt has yet to sign, needs revisions after the Covid-19 pandemic and the Crew change problem ?!

There is great importance for joining the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention due to its great impact on increasing the demand for Egyptian maritime labor in the global maritime transport market – The International Maritime Organization has issued many circulars, directives and guidelines for member states regarding the Corona pandemic and the problem of changing employment according to the maritime labor contract, which is Sufficient if adhered to.

9-Do you support the idea of an independent ministry, body, or institution for the Egyptian maritime system ?!

The organizational form of the maritime transport system is one of the elements of development and does not represent a solution to the problem of maritime transport, but development depends on the integration and availability of the elements combined from a general perspective / organizational structure / plan, policy and clear implementation follow-up.

10-The idea of the Egyptian president’s interest in re-establishing the Egyptian merchant marine fleet, is it the starting point for facing the challenges of this sector?!

The development of the maritime fleet is considered a giant leap for Egyptian maritime transport, but we must not lose sight that the size and modernity of the age of ships in the maritime fleet is only that it is one of the elements of development and does not represent a solution to the problems of maritime transport, but the development depends on the integration and availability of the elements combined from a general perspective / organizational structure. / A clear implementation plan, policy and follow-up.

11. How do you view the problem of Seafarers unemployment in Egypt ?! Their causes, and how to confront them ?!

It is one of the most important reasons for not joining the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 / and to confront it , it is required to prepare the seafarers and direct them to comply with the requirements of the labor market – after obtaining the qualification certificate – goods, tankers, containers, … / the interest in preparing integrated databases on the Egyptian maritime labor and following the course of his work And the position of his qualification, level, and the extent of his commitment to work at sea for a long time.