And ISO 14001 'Statement of Commitment'

Wednesday 29 December 2010, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Al Waha Marine Agency, a subsidiary of Waha Maritime, has received the ISO 9001:2008  compliance certification from Lloyd's Register following the successful completion of the final audits for the quality management system. The organisation also received the ISO 14001: 2004 'Statement of Commitment' certification for its commitment to implementing an environmental management system. Waha Maritime is the maritime investment arm of Waha Capital, the Abu Dhabi-based diversified investment holding company.

The certifications were awarded by Joe Watson, Senior Vice President - Marine Middle East & Africa of Lloyd's Register EMEA at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.

Waha Capital CEO Salem Rashid Al Noaimi said, "Waha Capital and its subsidiaries recognise the importance of world-class quality and environmental management systems as part of our objectives of meeting international benchmark and following best practices. The ISO 9001 and the ISO 14001 'Statement of Commitment' certifications are in line with Waha Maritime's objective of building businesses that can bring long-term benefits and value to the maritime industry while delivering quality services to its clients."

Mustapha Boussaid, Director of Maritime Investments at Waha Capital said, "The certifications attest that Al Waha Marine Agency meets internationally accepted standards of quality in its management and environment procedures. We pride ourselves on our ability to establish and maintain quality and environmental stewardship programmes that meet global benchmarks." 

" Through its various portfolio companies, Waha Maritime controls a fleet of 45 offshore support vessels and this award should help us expand and strengthen our offering to other oil and gas majors and contractors," added Boussaid.

The ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System compliance certificate was awarded to Al Waha Marine Agency for meeting international standards for  ship management incorporating the safety and pollution requirements of IMO resolutions A 741 (18), and the ISM and ISPS Code for its fleet of anchor handling and supply tugs trading in international waters. The ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management System commitment certificate was awarded for the organisation's commitment to progressively implementing an environmental management system.

Joe Watson,Senior Vice President - Marine Middle East & Africa of Lloyd's Register EMEA said: "Al Waha Marine Agency's vision to pursue excellence and become a truly global organisation is reflected in their commitment to quality and safety in their operations. The ISO 9001 certification is testimony to the organisation's strong and sustained focus on business and operational excellence. Al Waha Marine Agency has also demonstrated its sensitivity to global environment issues by preparing for ISO 14001 certification through the PRISM methodology."

Lloyd's Register works around the world to assess and certify ships, systems and facilities to help improve quality and increase safety. The organisation works with ship yards, owners and operators to provide innovative, value-added solutions that help improve performance and protect the environment throughout the design, construction and operation of ships.

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About Waha Maritime
A world class maritime investment company with over US$450 million in assets, Waha Maritime has blazed new trails in the region's maritime landscape through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures that have added significant new value to the industry. Waha Maritime invests in mainstream shipping and oil field services businesses that can both stimulate new industry growth and bring substantial returns to its shareholders. The company works constantly to unlock new opportunity through improved operations and fresh acquisitions. By skillfully synergising mutual resources, it has helped its portfolio companies achieve new levels of efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Waha Maritime has a range of exciting investments in ships and maritime assets in the regional oiloffshore support services sector. The company's first investment was completed in July 2008 whenit acquired a 49% stake in the GMMOS Group, a major industrial holding company operating in the marine, oil and gas and crane-hire sectors across the Gulf and Caspian markets. Over the last three years, it has built a world-class offshore supply vessel (OSV) service catering to the oil and gas industry in the Gulf, Middle East, Caspian, and South Asia. Today, it controls close to 45 vessels deployed worldwide in addition to a shipyard with a $160 million order-book. After gaining profile as one of the most dynamic new companies in the GCC's maritime sector, Waha Maritime is now exploring new investment horizons in the region and beyond.

About Waha Capital
Waha Capital is a leading Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed and Abu Dhabi-based diversified investment holding company. Waha Capital's strategy is to drive multi-sector business growth and diversification through acquisitions, joint ventures and creation of new business. Its current business portfolio includes big-ticket leasing, financial services, maritime, oil and gas, and real estate development. Waha Capital's main institutional shareholder is Mubadala Development Company.

About Lloyd's Register
Lloyd's Register works around the world to assess and certify ships, systems and facilities to help improve quality and increase safety. The organisation work with ship yards, owners and operators to provide innovative, value-added solutions that help improve performance and protect the environment throughout the design, construction and operation of ships. Through the early recognition of potential risks and by helping clients to manage them effectively, improvements to safety and performance can be achieved. Survey feedback helps to ensure that Rules and Regulations are calibrated against actual performance, and in-service risks are addressed through services such as ISM certification, operational risk assessments and our 24-hour ship emergency response service, SERS. Lloyd's Register's range of environmental products and services help ship operators not only meet legislative requirements but also implement best practice solutions for managing environmental risks. Besides undertaking ship energy audits, and providing fuel technology services, Lloyd's Register helps operators implement ISO 140001 certification. Lloyd's Register can help operators develop a safe, practical strategy to reduce the risks associated with ballast water management and to comply with national and IMO regulations. By undertaking a gap analysis (HEGA), Lloyd's Register can help implement best practice for managing the human element. Because life matters, safety is not negotiable. Standards have to be applied consistently. Lloyd's Register has the confidence and experience to do this. It also has the priceless advantage of independence. Lloyd's Register responds to change and lead the developments that help make lives safer and preserve the environment. For Lloyd's Register, life matters.

For further information, please contact:
Amira Abdulla
+971 2 4039 378
amira.abdulla@wahacapital.ae 

© Press Release 2010