DM launches Dubai Marine Information System

"We have felt the importance of providing accurate and up to date marine data, hence the new system was introduced" said Mohammed Mahmood Mashroom, Director of Survey Department.

"By the end of the last millennium the world seemed to give much attention to seas in economic terms. As it was the natural alternative to the wealth of the earth, which started drying up. Hence, the importance of the sea and marine data enhanced. The marine survey material is considered to be modern scientific data for all those concerned in the field. International organizations such as the International Hydrographic Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission have encouraged all coastal countries to establish marine information systems for optimum utilization of their marine resources," he said.

Mashroom said the main goals of the project is introducing marine electronic navigation system to ensure the safety of shipping traffic as per the requirements of the Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission and in coordination with the Dubai Ports Authority. It also aims to develop marine tourism by organizing tours to visit the new artificial islands that are considered to be landmarks, which gained international fame in the recent period, making it the areas of tourist attraction, he said.

"It also provides accurate and updated marine databases on a regular basis for use in marine engineering work for academic scholars and researchers from universities in the field of marine science and marine survey,"

Mashroom said.

He said the project experience has been presented in many periodicals and regional and global conferences where it received satisfaction of most of the relevant international organizations, who commended the level of excellence and professionalism in the application.

"It received the Best Working Paper Award in the Oman Hydrographic Conference held in March 2009. Dubai Municipality was the first organization of the region to implement such a project, which reinforces the reputation of the emirate among the countries that apply best practices in various fields," said Mashroom.