Shipping Container Industry Sinks in Financial Recession

The National reports:
“Worldwide container handling could fall for the first time and Middle East industry growth might be curtailed sharply this year, according to a shipping consultancy.”

“The worsening global economic downturn has battered international shipping lines, and the declining trade also poses challenges for global port operators.”

Fujairah Port and Trade
Pertinent to the Fujairah location is this paragraph:

“Because freight rates are dictated by supply and demand, shipping lines are even more exposed to the downturn than ports companies, which have set rates. Ship operators have been forced to cut rates and lay up vessels in anchorages from Singapore to Fujairah to await new orders.”

For the full report:
Ivan Gale, Worldwide Container Trade Could Fall, The National, 12 February 2009.

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Container ship at Fujairah Port, Photo courtesy of Jeff Topping and The National from the above link.

Investing in Others in Fujairah and the UAE

Often the idea is promoted that the UAE is a country that is focused on self-advancement and national promotion but there is a great story in The National about charity, humanitarian projects and investing in others, part of which has this Fujairah reference:

“Trekking for Nepal, which is based out of Fujairah, is another adventure-themed project dedicated to giving back in the UAE as well as abroad. Its founders, Mita Srinivasan, a marketing and PR director, and Carol Hyland, a graphic designer, support both the Welfare Association of Fujairah, a government-funded organisation that helps widows and their families prosper, as well as the New Youth Orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal.”

For the whole story follow this link:
Effie-Michelle Metallidis, Investment in Others, The National, 14 February 2009.

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Nawal Hassan, above, accepts a donation for the Palestine Children’s Refugee Relief Fund. One of the many charities cited in the article. Image courtesy of The National at the above link.

Big Wedding in Fujairah

The big event in Fujairah at this time is the royal wedding of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi and the further cementing of ties between Fujairah and Dubai and the ruling families of both emirates.

Over the way from the Fujairah palace is a series of large tents for the festive occasion and the surrounding streets are decorated with colored lights and designs.

Two interesting extras:

Land of secrets
There are some small, old perhaps dilapidated looking houses on the main road not far from the Palace. They have huge placards in front of them so visitors cannot see them—a new variation on the theme of walls, veils, tinted windows and curtained restaurant rooms. This is also what happens in Olympic cities where the poor are removed and their squalid dwellings bulldozed to create a good appearance for visitors.

Invisibility of Women
Note the way that WAM reports the wedding celebrations:
WAM is reporting this news:
“Fujairah, 9 Feb. 2009 (WAM) - His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah attended this evening the start of celebrations for the wedding of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi to the daughter of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”“The celebrations were also attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Sheikhs, senior officials, dignitaries and citizens.”

Men are named in official reports but women are usually made invisible and are referred to as “the daughter of”. In UAE museums women do not appear in diagrams listing the family tree of different families.

And still, despite women playing the major part in the rearing of children, even of royal families, they are given little mention or credence.

Congratulations to the new couple! Salaam!

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi