Latest news with #SOLAS
CairoScene
2 days ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Red Sea Authority Introduces New Rules for Safer Cruise Trips
The new framework outlines clear roles for cruise operators, ports, and shipping agents, streamlines licensing, and mandates international safety and environmental standards. The Saudi Red Sea Authority announced the launch of the Kingdom's first national framework for cruise ship operations, aiming to strengthen Red Sea tourism while prioritising environmental protection and marine sustainability. The new framework outlines clear roles for cruise operators, ports, and shipping agents, streamlines licensing, and mandates international safety and environmental standards. The guidelines also set service quality benchmarks for the full tourist journey, both onshore and onboard. Cruise ships will be required to implement strict waste management protocols and maintain zero sea-discharge policies, in line with agreements such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Leaders
4 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Red Sea Authority Announces First-ever Cruise Ship Regulations
The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has announced the Kingdom's first-ever framework for cruise-ship operations, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The framework serves as the operational and procedural regulator for Saudi Arabia's growing cruise tourism sector. Comprehensive Guidelines This comprehensive set of guidelines seeks to ensure safety and security of tourists and provide them with unparalleled experiences and top-notch services. The regulations meticulously define the responsibilities and precisely determine the roles of ship operators, shipping agents, and ports. They also created a unified path for obtaining the necessary licenses and permits to operate cruises including all technical and operational requirements. Thus, it further strengthens confidence among investors and consumers alike. Safety Crucially, SRSA made safety a cornerstone of all its provisions and procedures. It requires cruise ships to develop emergency plans and regular crew training aligned with international standards, while ensuring that safety and first aid equipment as well as qualified medical personnel are on board. Environmental Protection As for the environmental aspects, the new framework features strict environmental protection provisions designed to mitigate marine pollution. Consequently, cruise ships must adopt integrated waste management plans, undertake wastewater treatment, and adhere to a zero-discharge policy for waste into the sea. In order to preserve the Red Sea's marine environment, ships should abide by leading international agreements like MARPOL and SOLAS. Tourist Experience To provide tourists with seamless experiences, the regulations require service providers at ports and on ships to offer high-quality transportation, reception, information, entertainment, and catering. By setting this framework, the Saudi Red Sea Authority is building a new era of coastal tourism regulation, combining both professionalism and discipline. At the same time, the regulations take into consideration security, safety, environmental, and quality of life requirements. Overall, this move further solidifies the Kingdom's position as one of the world's most promising cruise destinations. Related Topics: AROYA Cruises Embarks on Mediterranean Voyages Saba Beach: Cruise Saudi Launches Exclusive Destination on Jabal AlSabaya AROYA Cruises Launches New Promising Mediterranean Season Short link : Post Views: 15
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Launches First National Cruise Ship Framework To Boost Red Sea Tourism And Marine Sustainability
The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) unveiled Saudi Arabia's first-ever framework for cruise-ship operations. The comprehensive set of guidelines aims to guarantee the safety, security, and quality of the tourist experience from embarkation to return. The strategic move actively supports Saudi Arabia's rapid tourism transformation and its ambition to become a leading global maritime destination. The new guidelines meticulously define the responsibilities and roles of ship operators, shipping agents, and ports. They streamline the process for obtaining necessary licences and permits, integrating technical and operational requirements to foster confidence among both investors and consumers. Safety remains a core priority, with requirements for emergency plans, regular crew training aligned with international standards, and guaranteed availability of safety equipment, first aid, and qualified medical staff on board. The new framework includes strict environmental protection provisions designed to mitigate marine pollution. Cruise ships must implement integrated waste management plans, undertake wastewater treatment, and adhere to a zero-discharge policy for waste into the sea. Compliance with leading international agreements like MARPOL and SOLAS is mandatory, ensuring the preservation of the Red Sea's marine environment as a valuable national heritage. Furthermore, the provisions heavily emphasize the tourist experience, requiring service providers at ports and on ships to offer high-quality transportation, reception, information, entertainment, and catering. They establish clear standards for tourist comfort and rights, including robust complaint handling procedures and effective management of itinerary changes, ensuring reliability and attentiveness throughout the journey. The strategic shift solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a premier global cruise destination, where effective oversight, a clear vision, and sustainability seamlessly align.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Tipperary education board ‘committed' to minimising impact of course cuts on students
Independent TD Mattie McGrath and Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy raised the issue during the Dáil's Topical Issues Debate on Tuesday, July 1. Tipperary ETB held a special meeting of its board online on Friday, July 4, in which plans to address the challenging financial situation facing their Further Education and Training (FET) provision were outlined. On Wednesday evening this week, a statement from the education board said: 'Tipperary ETB provided a comprehensive update to board members on the cost saving measures required to remain within budget as well as plans to ensure that all our students continue their education journey. 'Tipperary ETB notified our FET funding provider, SOLAS, in the final quarter of 2024 that we were facing increased costs in 2025. In February this year, the board of Tipperary ETB reviewed the contents of a letter from Tipperary ETB to SOLAS which advised of a potential funding deficit for this year. 'In April, Tipperary ETB received SOLAS's funding letter, which indicated a potential deficit of €1.5 million. The financial situation was discussed by the board at its May meeting. 'The minutes of this meeting and the special meeting on 4 July will be brought before the board for adoption at its next meeting in September. All adopted minutes are available on our website after each meeting. 'Our 2025 SOLAS budget allocation has increased from 2024 but does not fully comprehend additional expenditure on programmes, increased apprenticeship provision and the rollout of new initiatives such as the national tertiary programme. 'Tipperary Education and Training Board outlined to board members one such example that this allocation did not provide for the full cost of the new apprenticeship centre in Carrick-on-Suir in 2025. 'Despite sustained engagement with SOLAS on the matter, our allocation remains unchanged, and SOLAS has advised that Tipperary Education and Training Board must remain within its allocated budget.' Tipperary ETB has undertaken a comprehensive review of all FET provision across the county to ensure alignment with the available budget whilst minimising the potential impact on its students, added the spokesperson. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'Cost saving measures have been identified for the rest of 2025 across a wide range of course provision and operational costs, including local training initiatives (LTIs), contracted training courses, adult literacy courses, skills training, travel expenses, repairs and maintenance, advertising, and more. Tipperary ETB also informed the board that ongoing financial constraints may impact apprenticeship provision due to the funding shortfall. 'While we await further communication from SOLAS on the funding position in relation to Apprenticeship provision, a reduced class schedule for the remainder of 2025 is likely, leading to fewer apprentices being enrolled than originally planned, and some apprenticeship classes may be cancelled altogether.' The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the board, the finance committee, and audit and risk committee, were notified of the cost saving measures proposed by Tipperary ETB. As a result of the unavoidable cost saving measures, Tipperary ETB said it is not in a position to continue supporting LTIs in Littleton, Cahir, Cashel and Tipperary Town, which supported in total 41 learners over 2024-25. Funding to LTIs is provided on a year-to-year basis, September to June, subject to an annual review process. Tipperary ETB funded these courses in full for the academic year 2024-25 and all courses for these 41 learners concluded in June. On Friday, June 27, Tipperary ETB met with the LTI chairpersons and coordination staff of the affected LTIs to outline the current funding position, and members of the board and Oireachtas members were also notified. 'Our decision not to continue funding for LTIs in Littleton, Cahir, Cashel and Tipperary Town for the rest of 2025 caused some public concern last week, however, Tipperary ETB is committed to working closely with the LTIs to minimise the impact on students who wished to progress on their learning pathway and students who may have hoped to enrol in September 2025. 'In addition, following detailed analysis, the Making Connections (Clonmel) and Scoil Chormaic (Cashel) LTIs are unaffected by this decision, as it was concluded that no alternative provision for their specific education services is available in the nearby locality.' Members of Tipperary ETB management held follow-up meetings with three of the four affected LTIs last week, with a further meeting to take place this week. 'Tipperary ETB remains fully committed to supporting learners affected by the recent changes to local training initiatives. For those who completed their LTI programme in June and are seeking to progress to another Further Education and Training course, we are actively working to identify suitable alternative FET pathways available within their local area. 'Equally, we will engage with individuals who had hoped to enrol in an LTI this September to help them explore other viable options. We can confirm that the process of contacting students has already commenced. 'Our admissions team, in collaboration with our adult guidance services, will provide dedicated, one-to-one support to both current and prospective learners over the coming weeks and months to ensure they are guided towards appropriate opportunities that align with their goals. 'In addition, Tipperary ETB is exploring the provision of demand-led, part-time courses in local community settings, where feasible, to respond to identified needs and maintain access to education and training at a local level. 'Tipperary ETB appreciates the disappointment of local communities affected by these developments but wishes to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that all students in the county have access to meaningful education and training opportunities despite the challenging budget constraints. 'In 2024, Tipperary ETB supported over 9,000 individual FET learners, with over 5,000 learners who completed their course with Tipperary ETB continuing to another full time or part time further education or training course with us. 'While Tipperary ETB continues to work closely with SOLAS, LTIs, local communities, and its partner organisations to manage its financial position, we will not be making any further comment at this time,' added the spokesperson.
RTÉ News
01-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Laois Rose hopes to inspire young women to consider apprenticeships
As pupils prepare to start their Leaving Cert in just a few days, we are hearing from young people who took alternative paths to the CAO. An apprentice electrician - who also happens to be the Laois Rose - hopes that she can highlight to young women that a trade is a great career option for them. Katelyn Cummins grew up on a dairy farm in Co Kilkenny and now lives and works in Laois. She has always enjoyed working with her hands, and going to college never appealed to her. A self-professed "girly-girl", Katelyn was the only young woman in her apprenticeship class. "It's not something you hear about every day, a woman going into a male-dominated trade, but you can still do it no matter what and I wasn't treated any differently," she said. When Katelyn was selected to be the Laois Rose earlier this year, she saw it as a great opportunity to make friends with other women her age. "I don't meet them in my workplace, so it's been incredible because I've met such amazing girls and made really good friends with a few of them now, so I'm delighted with that," she explained. Katelyn said people are often surprised when she tells them she is an apprentice electrician. "When they see me at an event in a dress, they're like, 'And you're supposed to be an electrician?' And it's like, 'Yes, I wear work pants and a baggy hoody every day, that's my normal wear, but at the weekends I'm in a dress, I love my makeup and doing my hair, its two different sides to me." In 2024, a record 9,352 new apprentices registered across 77 different offerings, according to SOLAS. Katelyn hopes to see more women and girls consider exploring the apprenticeships available to them. "Anything that makes you happy is worthwhile doing, no matter if it's going to college, doing an apprenticeship, a PLC course, there's something out there for everybody and it doesn't have to be the traditional route of college," she said. "I think look into the trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical - they are all crying out for people to join that industry and whether you're a woman or a man, you can still do it no matter what."
