By Hauwa Ali
Mozambican customs authorities has lifted a ban they recently imposed on Russian ships and seven Russian shipping companies after a request from the United States which listed the seven companies and a total of 69 Russian ships to be banned.
The ban has however been lifted after a week following the Southern Afican country’s decision to remain neutral over the conflict in Ukraine.
“For the general knowledge of all officials of these services, customs brokers and other interested parties, it is communicated that Service Order No. 16/AT/DGA/900/2022, of 18 August, 2022, is without effect,” a document signed by the director-general of customs, Aturai Tsama, states, dated 26 August.
According to a report in Portuguese language Lusa, U.S. authorities requested Mozambique to refuse access to its ports as well as to deny services by the maritime and financial industry ‘to seven shipping companies and 69 ships of the Russian federation targeted by sanctions adopted by the US’.