Mar 16 2005
BIR has been made aware of Egypt’s decision to control movements of certain wastes through the Suez Canal, i.e. wastes listed in Annex I, II and VIII of the Basel Convention. This information was transmitted to the Secretariat of the Basel Convention on 27th February 2005.
The notice reads as follows:
EGYPT - REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO WASTES LISTED IN ANNEX I, II, VIII OF THE BASEL CONVENTION WHEN SUBJECT TO TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENT THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL
"The requirements below are applied if the wastes listed in Annex I, II VIII are subject to transboundary movement through the Suez Canal:
- All shipments should comply with the terms of Basel Convention for the passage of hazardous waste.
- All shipments should comply with the Suez Canal requirements concerning the passage of hazardous waste.
- Approval of the Suez Canal authorities.
- Transit documents should be sent to both the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency and Suez Canal authority for prior approval.
- Previous notification of the name of the vessel & maritime agent and the date of shipping should be sent to the Suez Canal authority.
- The vessel/s should leave the Egyptian territorial waters as soon as it crosses the Suez Canal.
- The vessel will not be allowed to load and/or unload any of its cargo during its passage through the Egyptian waterways and the exclusive economic zone. (*)
- The vessel should have a competent maritime agent and a P&I certificate."
(*) BIR believes that this decision seriously discourages any ship bound for the Suez Canal from transporting hazardous wastes.
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