Friday, August 30, 2013
Elder of ZiyonMajor General Hassan Fallah, head of the Red Sea Ports Authority, forbade the Israeli commercial ship Zim Rotterdam from entering any of the ports on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez.Maritime Bulletin notes:
The ship broke down four days ago after leaving Djibouti due to a fire on board that was later extinguished.
Fallah said in a press statement on Thursday that he had informed the naval base to monitor the vessel currently standing off the coast of the Gulf of Suez,. He also informed the crew of Zim Rotterdam that they were not welcome to enter the Red Sea Ports in South Sinai or the Red Sea Governorate.
As of the morning of Aug 30 the container ship ZIM Rotterdam maintains its speed of 8 knots and course in southern direction, moving out from Gulf of Suez. The vessel was drifting for some time off Egyptian port Sakhna, reportedly for fixing the consequences of the fire, which occurred on Aug 23 or 27. Egypt gave a rather crude explanation as to why the vessel was ordered to leave Egyptian waters. Explanation in fact, doesn’t explain anything.
UPDATE: According to the less-than-reliable FARS News, "the ship lacked certification from the International Maritime Organization that is required for entry to Egyptian ports and the canal." (h/t Zvi)
