DUBAI: DP World has banned all Qatari ships from calling at UAE ports, it said in a statement on Tuesday evening. The Dubai-based ports operator announced that “all vessels with the flag of Qatar, or vessels destined to or arriving from Qatar are not allowed to call at any DP World terminals in the UAE until further notice.” DP World currently operates five terminals in the UAE, including Jebel Ali port, Mina Rashid, and Fujairah Port. The statement added that DP World’s decision was in line with the UAE government’s recent decision to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar. On Monday, Reuters reported that the Port of Fujairah had issued a notice barring all vessels carrying Qatari flags and any destined for or arriving from Qatari ports.
Authorities said in a notice that “vessels flying the flag of Qatar or vessels destined to or arriving from Qatar ports are not allowed to call on the Port of Fujairah or Fujairah Offshore Anchorage regardless of the nature of their call until further notice.” In a statement issued by WAM, the state news agency, the government said that for security reasons, the UAE will close its airspace and seaports for all Qataris from the morning of June 6. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain said on Monday they would sever all ties with Qatar over what they claim is the country’s support of terrorist groups.
