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Find out moreWelcome to the first edition of Law Update for 2025. As we begin this exciting year, we are pleased to turn our attention to one of the most dynamic sectors in the UAE and the broader GCC region – healthcare. Over the past several years, the region has seen unprecedented growth in this sector, driven by legislative advancements, technological innovations, and the increasing focus on sustainability and AI. As such, healthcare is set to be one of the most important sectors in the coming decade.
In this issue, we explore key themes that are significantly shaping the future of healthcare in the UAE, such as recent changes in foreign ownership laws. These reforms present a major opportunity for foreign investors, opening up new avenues for international collaborations and improving the overall healthcare infrastructure. The changes in ownership laws are an important milestone, and we provide an analysis of what this means for the industry and the various players involved.
Read NowOn 08 April 2021 the Federal Maritime Authority of United Arab Emirates (FMA) issued ‘Circular No. (04) Of 2021’ notifying ship owners, Manager, operators, UAE port authority, Classification societies, shipping Agents in the UAE and IG of P&I that effective from 23rd of June 2021 , all UAE flagged ships including oil tankers over 1,000 gross tonnage is required to obtain the Bunker Convention Certificate from FMA. The FMA will issue the Bunker convention certificate upon presenting a valid blue card issued by a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IG).
The implications for vessels entered with P&I insurers outside of the IG will be considerable, and ship owners and their insurers should be mindful of the new implemented Circular.
Fortunately, the FMA declared that the certificates issued for UAE flag ships before 23rd June 2021 by other Flag Administrations will remain valid until their expiration date. We are aware that negotiations between some of vessel owners, their insurers and the FMA, are ongoing to obtain exemption from the said requirement.
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