The Egyptian Navy has launched random checks for weapons on board vessels calling at Egyptian Red Sea ports or transiting the Suez Canal as the country bolsters maritime security efforts amid growing threats to the safety of ships transiting the canal.
Several vessels have been approached by the navy forces and their crews obliged to discharge weapons at Safaga navy base.
All ships calling at Egyptian Red Sea ports or transiting the Suez Canal must declare any weapons onboard to Safaga Port Authority.
As per the Egyptian Maritime Security Committee ruling, such weapons must stored at the Safaga navy base.
To date, weapons onboard vessels arriving at Suez port have been stored at the port under police custody.
According to GAC Egypt, further clarification on the procedure and tariff for weapons storage at Safaga will be provided once obtained.
The move comes as Egypt announces setting up of a new police department tasked with protection of the Suez Canal.