Suez Canal Authority Confirms Its Tough Stance on Bribery, Corruption and Facilitation Payments

As reported in the maritime press recently, in a letter to the IMB the Suez Canal Authority has made clear its commitment to upholding the Egyptian National Anti-Corruption Strategy and has confirmed that it will not tolerate improper behaviour or misconduct which might discredit or undermine its reputation. As part of its commitment, the SCA encourages the shipping industry to play its part and to refuse demands for facilitation payments or gifts made by persons boarding ships to provide services to them.

The SCA’s stance is bolstered by an undertaking to investigate instances of corruption reported to them. Any incident should be reported to:

• Capt. Reda Shehata (Head of Traffic Control Section)
• Email: redashehata59@yahoo.com
• Mobile: +2 01 000 340605
• Land line: +2 064 3392179

We welcome this public statement by the SCA and we hope that it will prompt other organisations to publicly adopt such a position and to provide a similar route to allow proper notification and investigation of incidents.

Useful information on dealing with corruption in the maritime industry can be found here:

• http://www.maritime-acn.org/
• https://www.ukchamberofshipping.com/latest/bribery-act-2010-practical-guidance-shipping-industry/

ADRIAN DURKIN
DIRECTOR (CLAIMS)
The North of England P&I Association Limited / North of England P&I DAC

Circular Ref: 2022/013