Egypt/Suez Canal – new instructions re weapons and armed security guards onboard commercial vessels
Information provided by the Gard P&I Club The Gard P&I Club issues alert for Egypt/Suez Canal - new instructions regarding weapons and armed security guards onboard commercial vessels as follows:During August 2011, the Egyptian Authorities announced that commercial vessels in Egyptian territorial waters were not allowed to carry any weapons or armed security guards onboard as this was stated to be contrary to international maritime law.Consequences in case weapons were found onboard vessels when staying in Egyptian territorial waters whether that be along quays in ports, while anchoring in the inner or outer waiting areas or while transiting theSuez Canal, were reported to be serious. The master of the vessel and her crew members would be liable to legal penalties in accordance with Egyptian Law such as arrest of the vessel and her master, and any person onboard carrying weapons without permission.Gard's understanding is that the above described prohibition notice by the Egyptian Authorities on carrying weapons through the Suez Canal was originally introduced as a precautionary measure to prevent weapons being smuggled to/from Egypt during a period with somewhat unstable conditions in the country.It appears, however, that implementation of the said requirements have not been carried out in practice, ...
Read more