The board of the General Organisation of Seaports (GOP) approved a reduction on the tariffs levied on cruise ships during the meeting. The decision, the GOP in a statement said was a part of a series of suggested initiatives aimed at boosting cruise ship traffic to Bahrain in 2012 and beyond.
The decision was based on the outcome of a series of meetings between the GOP and its stakeholders from the public and private sectors, which focused on putting together a set of recommendations to enhance inbound cruise ship activity and promote Bahrain’s ports as a preferred destination to cruise operators around the world.
Hassan Al Majed, Director General GOP lauded the decision and said that it would spur cruise traffic to shores of Bahrain and also create a sustainable growth patterns in the years to come in the competitive environment. The board also reviewed other recommendations put forth in this regard, including ways to improve the services offered to these cruise ships and their passengers while docked in Bahrain, in addition to a number of other topics at hand.
GOP was established on September 2006 with a mission to develop Bahrain’s maritime industry and infrastructure and regulate its operation in line with the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030 development strategy. The GOP’s overarching responsibility lies in guiding the development of strategies to position Bahrain as a global leader in the maritime industry.
As a regulator, the GOP is responsible for supervising all maritime safety and environmental matters and ensuring adequate infrastructure is in place to serve the needs of the Kingdom’s seaports, including the region’s newest state-of-the-art port Khalifa Bin Salman Port. The GOP is also responsible for operating and developing the Bahrain Logistics zone.
Adhering to the highest international quality standards of safety, environment and security, the GOP aims to position the Kingdom as the strategic gateway and trans-shipment hub to the Northern Gulf.
By Mahmood Rafique – www.twentyfoursevennews.com
