On 14th January 2011, the EU adopted Council Regulation (EU) No 25/2011 imposing sanctions against various entities and individuals located in Ivory Coast. A copy of the Regulation including the list of sanctioned parties is found below. In broad terms, the Regulation, which in essence applies to companies and individuals which are subject to EC law, lays down a prohibition to make funds and resources available to any one of the listed subjects.
Notably, both the Port of Abidjan and the Port of San Pedro are sanctioned parties. Therefore, by a vessel calling at one of these ports, an offence would be committed if an EU corporate (or national) made payment of port dues or other disbursements/expenses to the port. An offence would still be committed if the port dues are paid by that party’s agent. Other sanctioned parties include PETROCI, the National Petroleum Operations Company of Côte d’Ivoire, and SIR, the Ivorian Refining Company.
Whilst the new Regulation does not seem to impose an absolute prohibition upon vessels calling at the ports, it may well have that effect as it is likely that all calls will require a party to pay port charges to a sanctioned person.
Any member who is subject to the Regulation and trade in the Ivory Coast is recommended to obtain legal advice.