UAE updates the list of Flag States obligated to have their vessels classified by a member of IACS

The UAE Federal Maritime Administration (FMA) represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has issued a circular updating the list of Flag States obligated to have their vessels classified by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).

This circular was issued on 30 May 2023 and is addressed to port authorities, harbormasters, ship owners, ship managers, ship operators, ship agents, and classification societies.

Based on the previous circulars (No. 12, 14, and 15 of 2018 and No. 8 of 2019) from the UAE Flag Maritime Administration, vessels registered under the flag of the "United Republic of Tanzania" will now be added to the list of restricted flag State vessels permitted to enter UAE waters and ports.

However, this restriction does not apply to vessels classified by a member of IACS Class or by the Emirates Classification Society - Tasneef.

This change will take effect on August 1, 2023, specifically for vessels registered under the flag of the "United Republic of Tanzania."

Therefore, maritime companies and ship agents in the UAE are requested not to provide services to non-compliant vessels mentioned in this circular to avoid legal consequences.

The concerned flag States include Albania, Belize, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sao Tome and Principe, Tonga, Congo (Republic of), Equatorial Guinea, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

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

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Updated list of flag States obligated to have their vessels classified by a member of the international association of Classification Societies (IACS)