MENAS Chairman brings new vision to his appointment

John Gyles took up his new post in May 2003, having served as a Director of MENAS since 1995. He sees MENAS as evolving into a more general service for ship owners, the oil companies that charter them and the Ports and littoral states they visit throughout the Middle East.

"Our aim is to develop MENAS into a broad-based service for the marine environment of the Gulf. Maintenance of navigation aids will remain our core activity and be the foundation for the safety of shipping in the region; we will also continue to provide differential signals for DGPS receivers as well as promulgating navigation warnings. However, the introduction of the Service's new ship in 2004 will provide an opportunity to broaden the scope of MENAS activities " he said.

MENAS' new ship will be equipped for oil spill response, with oil recovery, clean up and dispersing capabilities. It will also have high-resolution sonar scanning equipment for hydrographic survey and sea bottom investigation missions. The ship will also be fitted for training purposes.

"Much has already been done to streamline the service we provide and reduce costs," explained John. "This process will continue but the introduction of the new ship - with its sophisticated equipment and dynamic positioning capability - will open up new opportunities for MENAS; opportunities that will enable the service to expand its activities and broaden its revenue base."

At the time of his appointment to the Board of MENAS, John was the General Manager of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group's international oil and gas tanker fleets, having worked in a wide range of posts in the company during a 35-year career.

He has worked extensively on business development projects in both oil and gas sectors, at various times being an economic analyst for both oil and gas shipping developments. He was, for a time, Head of Marine Services and Port development.

Retiring from Shell in 1999 John was appointed General Manger of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO). An industry body representing companies operating gas tankers and terminals internationally, SIGTTO's mission is to promote best industrial practice in gas operations throughout the world. John resigned his position at SIGTTO earlier this year, on his election to the Chairmanship of MENAS.

John therefore brings to MENAS a wide experience of port and shipping operations and their associated business challenges, particularly that of managing change.