Laws and Regulations

The Ports and Maritime Authority is responsible for overseeing all of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s laws, regulations and procedures with regards to the maritime industry.

Last Updated Date:16-10-2023

Laws Description
Bahrain Maritime Code The PMA is currently finalising a new Maritime Code which covers issues related to international maritime conventions and protocols and the operation of port facilities as well as defining the responsibilities and functions of PMA. It will also establish jurisdiction with respect to international conventions to which Bahrain is presently, or will in the future be, signatory.  The new Code will supersede an earlier law promulgated in 1982 and bring Bahrain up to date with developments in international maritime law.
Bahrain Maritime Law No. (10) of 2022 Bahrain Maritime Law
Ship Registration Law The legislative decree with regard to the promulgation of registration of ships and determination of safety conditions.
Ministerial Resolution No. 6 for 2001 The Ministerial Resolution pertaining for the promulgation of the regulations on merchant shipping (manning, training, certification, and related seafarers’ matters).
GCC Safety Regulations for Non-conventional ships Outlines GCC safety regulations for cargo ships not covered by the provisions of IMO Conventions and for small passenger ships carrying less than 200 passengers
Ministerial Resolution No. 20 for 2016 Implementation of Conventions related to marine navigation
Ministerial Resolution No. 9 for 2017 Ministerial Resolution No.9 for 2017 with regards to Marine Services Licensing
Ministerial Resolution No. 5 for 2019 Ministerial Resolution No. 5 for 2019 with regards to Approved Classification Societies and Marine Surveyors
Ministerial Resolution No. 6 for 2019 Ministerial Resolution No. 6 for 2019 with regards to Regulating the Licensing of Marine Pilots and Tugs Masters
Ministerial Decree No  32 for 2020 Ministerial Decree No 32 for the year 2020 regarding registration, safety and control rules for small ships.
Ministerial Decree No. 2 for 2021 Registration, Determination of Safety Conditions and Issuance of Navigation License for Small Ships
Ministerial Decree No. 5 for 2022 Directive regulating use of Jet Skies 
Ministerial Resolution No. 13 for 2023 Ministerial Resolution No. 13 for 2023 with regards to amendments to Ministerial Resolution No. 5 for 2019 with respect to Approved Classification Societies and Marine Surveyors 
Ministerial Decree No. 15 for 2023  Amendments to Ministerial Decree No 32 for the year 2020 regarding registration, safety and control rules for small ships.
Regulations Description
Private Jetty Regulations Information on the regulations pertaining to operating a port, jetty or similar facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Directive No. ISM/01 Implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM Code)
Resolution 6/2016 Resolution 6/2016 with regard to the implementation of the International Tonnage Convention 1969
Resolution 7/2016 Resolution 7/2016 with regard to the implementation of MARPOL Convention 1973 and its Protocol and annexes 1, 2 and 5
Resolution 8/2016 Resolution 8/2016 with regard to the implementation of the SOLAS Convention 1974
Resolution 9/2016 Resolution 9/2016 with regard to the implementation of Load Line Convention 1966 and Protocol 1988
Resolution 14/2016 Resolution 14/2016 with regards to approved classification societies
Directive CIC-01 Investigation of Marine Casualties and incidents
Resolution 1/2017 Implementation of COLREG Convention
Directive No. PSC/01 Bahrain Port State Control
Directive No. Genreal/01 To the satisfaction of the administration criteria
Directive No. 10/2016 Minimum safe manning requirements
Directive FSI/01 – Flag State Inspection Flag State Inspection issued under the enabling power of the Ministerial Resolution 20/2016
Directive No. General/02 Transmitting Maritime Safety Information

 

International Conventions and Regulations

Regulations
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Directives (STCW)

Maritime Notices

Notice

Description
Marine Notices Marine notice to all ship owners, operators, masters and officers of merchant ships, authorized classification societies and surveyors.
Marine Notice 01-2008 LRIT
Marine Notice 03-2009 AIS - Bahraini Flag
Marine Notice 04-2009 Foregin Flag
Marine Notice  01-2014 Coming into force Safety Regulations for Non-conventional Ships
Marine Notice 02-2017 Implementation of Ports and Maritime Affairs Directives and Regulations
Marine Notice PMA/SRS/01/2018 Bunker and CLC Certificates
Marine Notice PMA/02/2019 Completion of offshore marine construction work at Bahrain LNG Terminal
Maritime Affairs Circular - 18 March 2020 - 1 Circular Regarding Marine Safety & Environment Protection Directorate Services
Maritime Affairs Circular - 18 March 2020 - 2 Circular Regarding Ship Registration and Seamen Affairs Services
Marine Notice No. (1) 2020

Concerning Corona Virus (COVID-19) Guidance Relating to Extension of Seafarer’s Certificates in view of the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19).

Marine Notice No. (2) 2020 Special Measures Concerning the extension of certificates, inspections and audits for Bahraini Flagged Ships Due to the Outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19).
Marine Notice - PMA/03/2019 Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS)
Marine Notice No. (3) 2020 Ship Passage Restrictions Under King Fahd Causeway in the Bahraini Waters (Western Passage between Columns 32 and 33).
Marine Notice 01-2022 Instructions on Night Sailing of Small Ships in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Waters
Marine Notice 16/10/23 Cable Installation operations for the 66kV interconnector cables

 

Port and Commercial Affair Notices

Notice

Description
Port Affairs Circular - 18 March 2020 - 1 Circular Regarding Private Jetties Handling Transactions via Email
Port Affairs Circular - 18 March 2020 - 2 Circular Regarding Vessel Shifting Permit Requests Via Email
Port Affairs Circular - 18 March 2020 - 3 Circular Regarding Payment Options for PMA’s Clients
Commercial Affairs Circular - 18 March Notice Regarding Issuing Licenses and Renewal Request
Port Affairs Circular – 26th July 2020 – 9 Circular Regarding Sea Passenger Transport Services
Port Affairs Circular 14th October 2021 No.5 for 2021 Circular No.5 for Year 2021 Regarding Anchorage Area
Ports Affair Circular 15th December 2021 No.7 for 2021 Circular No.7 for 2021 Regarding Customs/PMA Approvals for Approaching Departing/Arriving Vessels Including Anchorage Area

 

Other Notices

Notice

Description
Cruise Ships Notice Notice for the year 2021 Regarding the Resumption of Cruise Ships Protocol
Ministerial Resolution No. 11 for 2021 Ministerial Resolution No. 11 for 2021 with regards to Installing Aids to Navigation or Mooring Buoys Ministerial Resolution No. 11 for 2021 with regards to Installing Aids to Navigation or Mooring Buoys

Last Updated Date:16-10-2023

  • 48,575Total Aircraft Movement in FIR , Jan 2024
  • 837,627Total Passengers, Jan 2024
  • 28,618Total Cargo and Mail, Jan 2024
  • 33,655Average Daily Ridership, Feb 2024
  • 91,221,781Total Passengers (Feb 2015 – Feb 2024)
  • Ridership976,009Total Monthly Ridership (Feb 2024)
  • 65,470General Cargo, Feb 2024
  • 31,698Container Throughput, Feb 2024
  • 68Total Vessels, Feb 2024
  • 100Percentage of Population covered by 5G Network (2022)
  • 83Percent of households passed by fiber-optic broadband network (2022)
  • 100Percent of businesses passed by fiber-optic broadband network (2022)

 

 

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Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Kingdom of Bahrain