Egypt has clarified that it has banned all Qatari vessels from entering the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) in line with the country’s decision to bar Qatari ships from Egyptian ports.
This following media reports that it was illegal to ban passage through the Suez Canal as it was deemed an international waterway.
Suez Canal chairman, Mohab Mamish, confirmed that Qatar was permitted to send all vessels/flags/nations through the canal, subject to compliance with the present rules of navigation.
He added that the SCEZ – which comprises four development areas and six ports –was out of bounds and that this decision was taken to “maintain Egypt’s national security”.
