UAE: Immediate ban on specific vessels for regulatory violations

Eda Zenic -

The UAE Federal Maritime Administration (FMA) represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure issued Circular No. 7 of 2024, banning vessels from UAE ports and waters due to violations of maritime regulations.

Reasons for the Ban:

Violation of Permitting Requirements: The vessels operated without the required permits from the UAE Maritime Administration, violating the Federal Decree by Law No. (43) of 2023 concerning Maritime Law.

Specific Regulatory Violations:

  • Ministerial Resolution No. (73) of 2017: Prohibits foreign-flagged vessels from transporting oil and its products.
  • Ministerial Resolution No. (102) of 2017: Requires foreign-flagged vessels to have Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) while in UAE waters and ports.
  • FMA Circular No. (5) of 2024: Bans supply vessels from carrying, transporting, or trading petroleum products.

List of Banned Vessels:

  1. GUO YANG 17 (IMO 1031472) – Tanker
  2. NADEEN (formerly SHARKS) (IMO 1038248) – Tanker
  3. JAL SAMRAT (IMO 1026142) – Tanker
  4. SADRA (IMO 8741674) – Supply Boat
  5. SHAHEEN 5 (IMO 7105299) – Supply Boat
  6. BLUE SHARK 1 (IMO 8626903) – Supply Boat

These vessels have been identified as non-compliant with UAE maritime laws.

Additional Measures:

  1. De-flagging of Vessel: The vessel GHAZI 1 (IMO 9670078), involved in illegal petroleum trading, will be de-flagged from the UAE registry as per Article (21) of Federal Decree by Law No. (43) of 2023.
  2. Immediate Departure Required: All banned vessels must leave UAE waters and the exclusive economic zone immediately. If they re-enter, they will be referred to the Wreck and Violating Ships Committee for possible auctioning under Cabinet Resolution No. (71) of 2021.

Advisory:

  • For Agents and Marine Companies: Avoid engaging with the listed vessels to prevent legal issues.
  • Additional Legal Measures: The UAE Maritime Administration's actions do not prevent other authorities from taking further legal actions against these vessels.

Further inquiries can be directed to shipping@moei.gov.ae.

The circular was published on 17 July 2024.