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Restrictions & Sanctions

Update on the Qatar situation

The information provided to us about restrictions imposed by each country on ships are updated below where more information about UAE ports is now available including the amendment to the restrictions imposed by Abu Dhabi Petroleum ports published on 7 June 2017.

As the situation may change it is strongly recommended to contact a local agent for the latest and detailed information prior to scheduling a port call in the area:

Bahrain

The Ports and Maritime Affairs at Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has declared that all Bahrain Ports and territorial waters will remain suspended for marine navigation from and to State of Qatar effective from 6th June 2017. 

Saudi Arabia

Qatari-flagged ships are banned from Saudi ports, as are ships owned and operated by Qatari nationals or having Qatari personnel onboard. Cargoes of Qatari origin will be refused permission for discharge.

UAE

Immigration of Qatari Nationals has been suspended, and all Qatari visitors and residents have been given two weeks to leave UAE territory. UAE citizens are banned from travelling to Qatar. The UAE land border is closed to Qatari cargo.

Abu Dhabi Ports (Port Khalifa, Musaffa Port, Mina Syed Port)

The following ships and cargo categories are not allowed:

  • Qatar flagged ships
  • Ships proceeding to/arriving from Qatar as last/next port of call, irrespective of the flag
  • Ships loading/discharging cargo destined to to/from Qatar 

Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports (Ruwais Area)

– please note the different restrictions compared to above.

Following ships and cargo categories are not allowed:

  • Qatar flagged ships
  • The owner has Qatari nationality
  • The operator is a Qatari company 

Port of Fujairah

Ships flying Qatar flags or ships destined to or arriving from Qatar ports are not allowed to call Port of Fujairah and Fujairah Offshore Anchorage regardless their nature of call. Ships to vacate anchorage immediately if:

  • Arrived from Qatar
  • Destined to Qatar
  • Qatari flagged ships
  • Ship Management from Qatar base company

Jebel Ali Port, Hamriya Port, Port Rashid

The following ships are not allowed in DP World, UAE Region port or its anchorage areas with immediate effect until further notice

  • All Qatari flagged/owned ships
  • All ships going to/coming from Qatar as last/next port of call, irrespective of the flag
  • Ships loading/discharging cargo destined to to/from Qatar

Saqr Port, Ras Al Khaimah Port, RAK Maritime City, Al Jazeera Port, Al Jeer Port including offshore anchorage

Following ships and cargo categories are not allowed:

  • All Qatari flagged/owned ships
  • All ships going to/coming from Qatar as last/next port of call, irrespective of the flag
  • Ships loading/discharging cargo destined to to/from Qatar

Sharjah Seaports Authority ports including anchorages

Following ships and cargo categories are not allowed:

  • All Qatari flagged/owned ships
  • All ships destined for or arriving from Qatar, irrespective of the flag
  • Ships carrying cargo destined for Qatar including transit cargo

Egypt 

It is anticipated that Qatari-flagged ships will not be permitted to enter Egyptian ports. 

There is currently no indication that ships calling from Qatar or proceeding to Qatar will face difficulties. 

Flights between Egypt and Qatar will be temporarily suspended. 

Qatari nationals entering Egypt are likely to face difficulties. 

There should be no effect on Suez Canal transits for the time being, but there may be a requirement for Qatari crew members to be replaced while crossing the Canal.

 

Sources include GAC.com, ukpandi.com

 

Philippine immigration restrictions

According to the Philippine Ship Agents’ Association (PSAA) the current situation may be outlined as follows, following a meeting between the PSAA and the Bureau of Immigration:

  1. Visaed crew list requirement remain in force in line with security concerns of the recent crisis in Marawi
  2. List of restricted 13 nationals was provided per DFA Foreign Service Circular 22-10:

    • Afghanistan 
    • Algeria
    • Egypt
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Jordan
    • Lebanon
    • Libya
    • Pakistan
    • Palestine
    • Sudan
    • Syria
    • Yemen
    • Stateless persons
  3. It was clarified that denying entry into the country is not only confined to the island of Mindanao which is under Martial Law, per Immigration AO JHM2017 006, above nationals will also be restricted to:

    • Areas of conflict - this is where Mindanao is currently classified under being under martial law
    • Areas of international assembly - example: ASEAN, these nationals are denied entry into Manila during the ASEAN
    • Places where the President and or other key officials of government are present - example: during visit of the President and PM Abe of Japan, entry into Davao was not allowed
    • Other areas that may be identified by the commissioner or his authorized representative

    It was explained further that the AO has no time frame. Restriction will apply anytime when any of the 4 conditions is present. For the Mindanao Martial Law, this is envisaged to end on 31 December 2017. 

  4. Two points were then raised, what will be the procedure if a vessel is:

    • Ships coming from outside Philippine territory and is already steaming to Mindanao
    • Already at a port in Luzon or Visayas then bound for Mindanao.

    No definite procedure was given, however it can be that either vessel is requested to drift outside or if allowed, to anchor while waiting for the immigration approval. 

  5. If a vessel has restricted nationals on board, the initial inclination per policy is to deny entry. But in consideration of not inhibiting trade immigration may consider entry, but, the agent must:

    • make an appeal to the immigration office and explain the legitimate purpose of the vessel's call. One suggestion from the authorities is to request owners to prove that the nationals in question do not have any record. It was suggested that documents from other foreign parties may help, such as a letter from the embassy/embassies of the particular individuals certifying their identity etc.
  6. The bureau has no set implementing guidelines yet on how they will manage a vessel with restricted crew that is granted entry. It is possible that they may put additional guards and or refuse issuance of shore passes.
  7. Having a visaed crewlist or visa does not guarantee entry. According to the Bureau, the DFA can issue a visa, but the final approval for entry will still be up to the immigration's enforcement of policy. For example: The applicant may obtain visa but if the person arrives at the airport or seaport and displays a behavior that shows reasonable cause to deny entry, it will be immigration's decision to deny entry/deportation. 

 

Trading restrictions (Egypt)

Trading restrictions imposed against Egypt

  • None

 

Trading restrictions imposed by Egypt

  • According to information received from local contacts only vessels designed to carry nuclear fuel or operated by same are prohibited from calling Egyptian ports.
  • Arab League Boycott of Israel: Egypt's Position
    Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel on 26 March 1979 officially lifting all sanctions against Israel.
  • Qatar

    In June 2017 Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar and imposed restrictions affecting amongst other things shipping, trading, and travelling in the area.

    On 5 January 2021, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, along with Egypt, signed the “Al-Ula Declaration” at the 41st GCC Summit held in the city of Al-Ula. Since the signing of the Declaration, we understand that steps have been taken to re-open land, sea and air corridors.
  • United Nations Security Council Resolutions

 

Restrictions & sanctions (Egypt)

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