The Department of Merchant Shipping (“DMS”) has adopted a new procedure for informing interested parties of United Nations economic sanctions and European Union restrictive measures in the field of merchant shipping.

With effect from the beginning of 2017, the DMS has discontinued its previous practice of issuing circulars to bring such measures to the attention of interested parties. Instead, it will communicate them separately in the form of Sanctions Information Notices (SINs), published on the DMS website. A copy of all valid SINs must be kept on board Cyprus flag vessels.

The new procedure is aimed at making it easier for the public to trace and gather information on sanctions and restrictive measures relating to merchant shipping. Circulars issued prior to 2017 advising on sanctions or restrictive measures will continue in effect until they are withdrawn or replaced by SINs.

The first SIN, issued on 24 February 2017, relates to measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea under UN Security Council Resolution 2321(2016), EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/82, and EU Council Regulation (EU) 2016/841.