Lost in Al Quoz

by Kathryn SemcowMay 1st, 2008 | Editorial, Issue 7 May 2008

Tackling security can be hazardous, but times are changing

Between running to interviews, servicing my car and buying furniture, I spent a lot of time this month trying to find my way in Al Quoz and fearing of my life. Would one of those big trucks drive over me? Is that warehouse going to explode? Am I going to die from lung cancer from breathing in this noxious air?

Similar to how Sajith Sarathchandran, CEO of Bin Yousef Cargo Express, describes the Qatar freight forwarding industry, this region has it’s share of highly professionalised companies, but also a great number of organisations which will cut costs at any expense – unqualified workers, inadequate facilities, environmental terrorism.

But, as Sarathchandran says, and the likes of Bill Hill with GAC have reverberated in past issues the market is consolidating. Only those who are certified , standardised and professionalised will survive.

And for those companies who are struggling to do so, LOG.Middle East is here to help. In this issue Scott Sykes and Vicki Wrona, in separate articles, offer advice on managing risks, Casey McFann takes a look at ISO 28000 certification, as well as fire safety, and Amira El-Gawly explores the world of access control.

If you need a little push to up your ante, you can always move to Dubai Industrial City.

The development tailored to factories, which will feature plenty of warehouses and logsitics providers, is setting it’s standards high, grouping relevant certifications such as the ISOs and OHSAS 18001 under one label it calls the Dubai Quality Mark. In fact, CEO Rashed Al Ansari says DIC has already rejected around 35 per cent of applioants due to thier failure to meet this mark.

If you’re worried about the costs of implementing security, health, safety and environment standards – get over it. As Al Ansari explains, the price of losing your warehouse to fire started by your neighbour is far more than the price of preventing such fires.

Next time any area of the city goes up in flames, I hope I’m living in a container. Rod Dyck with Penguin Container Trading and Repairing Services LLC (PCTRS) says he can outfit a shipping can to be 100 per cent fire proof, sucking out any air to kill the flames (I think you’d have to step out of the container first). Check out our cover story and I think you’ll be quite amazed.

Speaking of PCTRS, they are one of many companies moving to DIC. In the meantime, you can find them in Al Quoz. Please don’t call me for directions, however – I will only get you lost.