On 15 May 2025, the Libyan Military Forces issued a circular implementing new maritime security procedures relating to underwater hull inspections of vessels within 12 nautical miles of Libyan territorial waters.
These inspections will take place at a designated location and must be carried out at the expense of the vessel’s owner or supplier, NorthStandard P&I Club informs. Vessels are also required to submit their Notices of Readiness (NOR) to the Military Forces prior to arrival. Additional measures outlined in the circular include:
- The security level is to be raised to Level 2 upon the arrival of cargo vessels from regions experiencing wars or conflicts. Vessels are required to complete the Declaration of Security (DOS) accordingly.
- All shipping agents must include the last ten ports of call when submitting the notice of arrival 48 hours in advance.
- The vessel anchorage area shall be considered a restricted zone; approaching it or conducting any diving activities nearby is strictly prohibited.
Operators are kindly requested to notify all the shipping agents to adhere to the provisions of this circular and to comply with submitting the arrival notice 48 hours in advance.
To remind, recently, operations at Libya’s Tripoli port came to a halt due to intense clashes between rival factions, notably the 444th Brigade and the Stability Support Apparatus, following the death of Abdelghani al-Kikli. The violence, which escalated overnight on 12–13 May, resulted in at least six deaths and around 70 injuries.
