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- Jul 30, 2008
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takeholders in the marine transport sector have called on the government to review the Marine Act 2003, which allows up to 15-year-old vessels, particularly passenger ships, to be brought into the country.
They say the move increases risks of marine accidents in the country.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during celebrations to mark World Maritime Day, the stakeholders said the law was to blame for an increase in marine accidents as it allows outdated ships to carry passengers while they are no longer seaworthy.
"It is impossible for a ship which has worked in Europe for more than ten years to be registered in the country for carrying passengers this is sure to result in tragedy in which people will lose lives. We cant continue with such a law , said Ambali Luhande, an engineer with Azam Marine Company.
For his part, Dar es Salaam Marine Institute (DMI) acting head of transportation department Captain Jumanne Karume said apart from reviewing the law, the government should woo more investors in the marine industry for the aim of improving the sector and creating more job opportunities for the Institute's graduates.
Speaking on WMD, King Chiragi who is SUMATRAs Director of Marine Safety and Security said shipping standards applicable in the country are among things to be discussed during the celebrations.
"Tomorrow (today) we will present our draft safety regulations for marine transport to Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe and other stakeholders who will then give their views on the five draft regulations in order to improve the supervision of marine transport in the country," he said.
Every year the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day, and this years theme is 'IMO: 100 years after the Titanic', which focuses on the control of accidents involving marine vessels.
The celebrations come at a time when the country has of late been having a series of marine transport accidents, resulting in massive loss of human life and goods.
In 1996 MV Bukoba capsized and sank in Lake Victoria, killing more than 1,000 people. The ship sank some 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Mwanza shore. It was later established that she was carrying more passengers and cargo than she was certified to.
On September 10, last year, MV Spice Islander I, a passenger ferry which was then carrying approximately 3500 people, sank off the coast of Zanzibar.
Over 1500 people were reported dead in the tragedy while 619 others were rescued. The ferry was bound for Pemba when it capsized.
On July 19, this year, MV Skagit, with an estimated 290 people on board, capsized and sank when the overcrowded vessel encountered stormy weather on its way to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. The accident claimed the lives of more than 144 people.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
They say the move increases risks of marine accidents in the country.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during celebrations to mark World Maritime Day, the stakeholders said the law was to blame for an increase in marine accidents as it allows outdated ships to carry passengers while they are no longer seaworthy.
"It is impossible for a ship which has worked in Europe for more than ten years to be registered in the country for carrying passengers this is sure to result in tragedy in which people will lose lives. We cant continue with such a law , said Ambali Luhande, an engineer with Azam Marine Company.
For his part, Dar es Salaam Marine Institute (DMI) acting head of transportation department Captain Jumanne Karume said apart from reviewing the law, the government should woo more investors in the marine industry for the aim of improving the sector and creating more job opportunities for the Institute's graduates.
Speaking on WMD, King Chiragi who is SUMATRAs Director of Marine Safety and Security said shipping standards applicable in the country are among things to be discussed during the celebrations.
"Tomorrow (today) we will present our draft safety regulations for marine transport to Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe and other stakeholders who will then give their views on the five draft regulations in order to improve the supervision of marine transport in the country," he said.
Every year the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day, and this years theme is 'IMO: 100 years after the Titanic', which focuses on the control of accidents involving marine vessels.
The celebrations come at a time when the country has of late been having a series of marine transport accidents, resulting in massive loss of human life and goods.
In 1996 MV Bukoba capsized and sank in Lake Victoria, killing more than 1,000 people. The ship sank some 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Mwanza shore. It was later established that she was carrying more passengers and cargo than she was certified to.
On September 10, last year, MV Spice Islander I, a passenger ferry which was then carrying approximately 3500 people, sank off the coast of Zanzibar.
Over 1500 people were reported dead in the tragedy while 619 others were rescued. The ferry was bound for Pemba when it capsized.
On July 19, this year, MV Skagit, with an estimated 290 people on board, capsized and sank when the overcrowded vessel encountered stormy weather on its way to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. The accident claimed the lives of more than 144 people.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
