UAE Maritime Administration issues prohibition on oil product transport

The UAE Federal Maritime Administration (FMA) represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has issued a circular addressing the prohibition of supply vessels from carrying, transporting, and trading oil products in UAE waters and ports.

This circular was published on 16 May 2024.

The circular highlights concerns regarding maritime incidents and violations of UAE laws, particularly Federal Law No. (14) of 2017, which governs the trading of petroleum products. Specifically, the administration notes incidents involving maritime companies transporting oil products on supply vessels (supply boats), leading to serious consequences such as accidents and legal violations.

To address these concerns, the Maritime Administration announces several key decisions:

1. Prohibition on Supply Vessels: Supply vessels, regardless of size or type, are strictly prohibited from carrying, transporting, or trading oil products within UAE waters and ports, including the exclusive economic zone. This prohibition applies irrespective of the quantity of oil products being transported.
2. Penalties for Violations: UAE-flagged vessels found in violation of this prohibition will be removed from the registry, and foreign-flagged vessels will have their licenses canceled. Additionally, violators will be banned from UAE waters and ports, and their associated companies will be barred from ship registration and licensing services within the UAE.
3. Compliance and Additional Measures: The circular emphasizes that these procedures do not preclude the application of other measures outlined in UAE Federal Law No. (14) of 2017 or the imposition of penalties as per local and federal regulations.
4. Exemptions for Certain Vessels: Offshore supply/support vessels (OSVs) engaged in transporting oil products to UAE oil fields are excluded from the prohibition under specific conditions. These conditions include holding a navigational license explicitly allowing oil transportation, classification by recognized classification societies, and certification for oil pollution prevention as per international conventions.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Prohibiting supply vessels from carrying, transporting, and trading oil products in UAE waters and ports