Egypt to face mandatory maritime inspections
As Egypt has failed to undergo voluntary trial inspections of its maritime works, ports and ships, the International Maritime Organization's upcoming official inspections could negatively affect shipping in the Suez Canal.
On March 15, news sites reported that a letter had been sent to the Egyptian Ministry of Transport by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), informing the ministry that in 2016, there will be an inspection of the ships, ports, maritime routes and works, as well as the government agencies overseeing shipping in Egypt. According to reports, the purpose is to gauge compliance with shipping safety standards set by international agreements, which the IMO is charged with enforcing.
It should be noted that the IMO provided an opportunity for all countries to undergo a voluntary inspection prior to the mandatory inspections set to begin in 2016. The voluntary inspections offer a chance for states to identify any existing issues and hear IMO recommendations before the mandatory inspection.
