Israel Says It's Ready to Let Ships Bring Aid to Gaza
Israel is prepared to let ships deliver aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip "immediately" as part of a proposed sea corridor from Cyprus, the Israeli foreign minister said on Sunday, naming four European countries as potential participants.Under the arrangement first suggested by Nicosia in November, cargo would undergo security inspection in the Cypriot port of Larnaca before being ferried to the Gaza coast, 370 km (230 miles) away, rather than through neighbouring Egypt or Israel.If the plan goes ahead…
Turkey Sends Field Hospital Aid Ship to Egypt for Gaza
Turkey said on Friday it had sent a ship loaded with field hospital equipment, ambulances and generators to Egypt to treat war casualties from Gaza, where Israeli's devastating siege has caused a humanitarian crisis with medical care collapsing."A total of 51 containers of medical supplies, generators and 20 ambulances, with necessary permissions, were loaded onto a ship from Izmir's Alsancak port and sent to Egypt," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said."As part of the aid…
Egypt Closes Eight Ports Due to Bad Weather
Egypt has closed eight ports owing to bad weather, officials said on Monday.The ports of Port Tawfiq, El-Zayteyat and Sharm El Sheikh were shut early Monday morning, the Red Sea Ports Authority said.The ports of Adabiya, Ain Sokhna, Port Said West, Port Said East and Al Arish were also shut later on Monday, a statement from the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone said.The ports are expected to re-open as soon as weather conditions imporve, the statement said.(Reporting by Yusri Mohamed and Amal Abbas Writing by Sarah El Safty Editing by David Goodman and Jane Merriman)
Egypt Puts Sinai's Al-Arish Port under Military Control
Egypt has transferred the assets of the Al-Arish port in the Sinai Peninsula from a civilian-run agency to the armed forces, citing national security reasons in an area where militant attacks have increased in the past year. The decision was made last week by then-interim President Adly Mansour but only announced on Monday, a day after former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi - who ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last July - was sworn in as the new head of state. The move seemed likely to reinforce critics' concern that Egypt is returning to strongman rule three years after a popular uprising raised hopes of democracy free from military influence.
Egypt State of Emergency: Skuld P&I Situation Update
What is the consequence of violating the curfew - The curfew is enforced at strategic points by armed security (police/army) and it depends on the situation and persons, violators may be arrested. In case of emergencies it is recommended to contact the local correspondents for assistance if activity after curfew hours is necessary for some reason. Is it safe to travel between cities and ports - say for example if a crew changeover is being planned - Our correspondents advise that it is generally safe to travel between cities and ports during daytime, while safety during night is not guaranteed. Members may wish to consider whether to undertake crew change-overs in Egypt during the current period.
