Saudi Red Sea Authority issues seven regulations to facilitate Red Sea navigation

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) announced the issuance of seven new regulations for navigational activities in the Saudi Red Sea: Private Yachts Visiting; Chartering Large Yacht Regulation; Tourist Navigational Agent Regulation; Cruise Ship Regulation; Marina Design and Operation Regulation; Marina Tourism Operator Regulation; and Marine Coastal Tourism Vessel Classification Regulation. The regulations will come into effect 90 days from today.

Developed by SRSA in cooperation with maritime entities, the regulations are in line with the authority’s mandate to update navigational rules, policies, and laws to ensure the preservation and protection of the Red Sea and stimulate coastal tourism economic growth.

Mohammed Al-Asiri, Acting CEO, Saudi Red Sea Authority, said: “The seven new regulations formulated by the Saudi Red Sea Authority in collaboration with maritime stakeholders are an important development towards facilitating cruise ship and yacht navigational activities in the Kingdom’s Red Sea and creating the conditions for sustainable coastal economic growth. We have ensured these regulations are comprehensive, addressing all requirements and objectives. As SRSA continues to review and update regulations, we can expect to see further benefits for Red Sea operators and practitioners.”

These new seven regulations comprise part of SRSA’s ongoing efforts to regulate maritime activities for cruise ships and yachts, as well as to enable marine activities. 

SRSA’s collaboration and integration with partners in the Red Sea maritime ecosystem have been instrumental in gathering and working on stakeholder inputs for these regulations. Collectively, SRSA and its stakeholders strive to protect the environment while fostering coastal tourism’s economic development in the Red Sea.

The regulatory guidelines will take effect 90 days from today. SRSA will issue the necessary procedures and measures to enforce these regulations. All parties subject to these regulations are required to comply with SRSA's directives.

The establishment of SRSA was approved by a Cabinet decision in November 2021. Its responsibilities include regulating maritime activities for cruise ships and yachts, and enabling marine tourism and recreation, while ensuring environmental protection within these activities through supervision, monitoring, and other necessary measures. 

SRSA also supports investments, including small and medium-sized enterprises, defines infrastructure requirements for maritime activities, employs technology to facilitate license and permit procedures, and encourages maritime and marine activities.