UAE ministry revokes ban on three barges

The UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) has lifted a ban on three bunker barges it had previously imposed.

PHOTO: The Atticus. Arthur Buhagiar via MarineTraffic

The MOEI banned the three barges in May due to undisclosed “serious violation” by Warm Seas Development and Victoriam Ship Management, which owned, operated and managed them.

The ban was lifted after audits and after the authority had verified that the companies had adopted measures to prevent violations.

“The Maritime Administration has taken appropriate action by referring the individuals involved with the violation to the Public Prosecution and conducted maritime audit of the activities of the mentioned two companies,” according to a circular issued by MOEI on Friday.

The Panama-flagged Maximus and the Malta-flagged Atticus and Amelia were allowed to resume operations in UAE waters and ports from today (1 August), MOEI said.

The Atticus was previously used by one bunker supplier to deliver stems in the UAE ports of Dubai and Jebel Ali.