Container ships cross the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea

The Suez Canal Authority in Egypt and the Canal Economic Zone has aligned with the decision of the four countries to stop dealing with Qatar.

The Authority confirmed that Qatari ships are prohibited by law from passing or entering its ports and regional waters under the sovereignty of the Egyptian State.

However, this does not affect the passage of Qatari ships in the international shipping lane.

The Suez Canal Authority runs one of the world's most important maritime lanes, and confirms that despite these measures, Qatari vessels will be able to cross the international waters as stipulated in the Treaty of Constantinople.

The agreement was signed at the end of the 19th century, which classifies the Suez Canal as a global navigational course that cannot be closed to passing ships.

The only case of preventing vessels from crossing the canal is for a country to declare war with Egypt, where the canal passes within its borders.

The Suez Canal authority committed as well to stop dealing with companies affiliated with Doha.

Qatari ships will be prohibited from entering the canal's ports and waters which are under the sovereignty of the Egyptian state, in addition to facilities located at the coastal sites of the international lane lying within Egyptian territory.

source: Alarabiya