Less than a week ago, there were reports in the media that the UAE had partially eased the ban on shipping of goods between it and Qatar.

An Abu Dhabi Ports circular, dated February 12, 2019, cancelled previous directives that banned third-party cargoes to Qatar, originating from UAE waters and ports, and those of UAE origin from Qatar.

However, the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority (FTA) later issued a denial saying there was no easing of the embargo of Qatar. It said the Abu Dhabi Ports circular had been ‘misinterpreted’ and that it would issue a clarification to ports.

However, that does not seem to have happened so far because Dubai’s biggest port operator —DP World Ltd — has followed Abu Dhabi in advising that third-party shippers can now move cargo to and from Qatar, reported Bloomberg.

This is a further sign that there is an easing of restrictions that had been in place for nearly two years now.

Dubai’s biggest port operator DP World has followed Abu Dhabi in advising that third-party shippers can now move cargo to and from #Qatar. https://t.co/Cd9Vy3NMNC

— Suhaib Jamal Nasir (@suhaibnasir) February 26, 2019

However, Qatari-flagged ships and vessels with Qatari owners are still prohibited, said DP World, which runs the Jebel Ali port, in a circular dated February 21.

Other vessels coming from or travelling to Qatar and ships carrying cargo between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are not barred.

The circulars ‘intimate that the restrictions have been slightly eased,’ law firm Clyde & Co. said in a note, adding that confusion remains because the FTA has said the embargo on Qatar still stands.

“It’s not clear whether Abu Dhabi Port Authority or DP World will issue further circulars with changing their position, or indeed whether other ports will follow suit.”

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