Saudi Arabia - Clearance
COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
In an emergency, which necessitates a stop in a Saudi port, the captain should contact a coastal radio station immediately and insist on being treated according to international maritime law.
PRE-ARRIVAL
An agent must be used to enter KSA and to cruise around the country, therefore they will need to be employed on a monthly fee. The agent will register the yacht’s details in the port system for arrival and deal with registering movement of the yacht in the Coastguard system as it cruises the country.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Advance Notification:
A 72 hour pre-arrival notice is required to your chosen port of entry. Your agent will deal with this on your behalf.
While in Saudi waters, vessels must fly the Saudi courtesy flag or risk being fined.
Ports of Entry:
Arrival and departure must be done with the help of an agent in one of the following three commercial ports: Jeddah, Duba or Yanbu.
General Process:
Port control should be contacted on VHF Channel 16 before arrival.
Your agent will give you instructions, however, only the captain will be allowed ashore to complete formalities. Both the yacht and crew are normally restricted to the port area until clearance is completed.
See Documents for the paperwork required.
Yachts are issued a “Saudi Navigation Permit” for 6 months, and Port Clearance prior to departing the port of entry.
Details of costs can be found in Fees.
Domestic Cruising:
Only certain areas are permitted to visit by yacht.
Permitted areas:
To enter allowed areas, yachts need 72 hours prior permission each time, and each movement must be registered through the agent using the coast guard Zawil system.
The following areas are allowed:
• Marsa Al Quraishi (Yanbu) – free mooring
• Marina Aziziyah Boats/Marina (Yanbu) – free mooring
• Abbasi Center (Yanbu) – free mooring
• Fishermen’s Marina Al Rayis – free mooring
Prohibited areas:
It is currently not allowed to enter any place between the Gulf of Aqaba and just north of Yanbu (24°15’44.0″N) except Duba Seaport. This is due to three so called “mega projects” being built along the coast. The mega projects are (from north to south); NEOM Project, Amaala Project, and Red Sea Project.
Traveling Inland:
Leaving a yacht (unmanned) for land travel is not possible within commercial ports or tourist destinations, due to laws that any floating item must be manned. As a result, the only location a boat may park is under the control of a maritime resort. We currently do not have a list of permitted resorts.
CLEARING OUT
This must be done via your agent.
Last updated: November 2021
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Next Section: Formalities: Clearance Agents
Related to following destinations: Saudi Arabia
Country Navigation
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Posted on behalf of SY Tamarisk:
Saudi Arabia – if heading for the Gulf of Aqaba, it is impossible to pass without entering Saudi waters. Use the main shipping channel at the gulf entrance, not the protected route behind the Saudi Islands, otherwise yachts will be stopped and detained by Saudi coast guard (clueless ones).