KUWAIT CITY, June 7: Decree Law No. 61/2026 on maritime establishments and floating units, which regulates the maritime sector and repeals Decree Law No. 36/1960 on small vessels, was published in the official gazette, ‘Kuwait Al-Youm’, on Sunday, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The law grants maritime establishments and floating units a grace period not exceeding six months to comply with regulations. It assigns the responsibility for registration, licensing, inspection, oversight and investigation of maritime accidents to the Maritime Transport Department at the Ministry of Interior.
Owners must provide valid insurance documents before registration, licensing or renewal. The law introduces two new license categories — Marine Captain A and Marine Captain B , and specifies the conditions for obtaining these licenses. It permits foreigners to use foreign maritime licenses within Kuwaiti territorial waters for a period not exceeding 90 days. It stipulates new safety requirements for sea voyages and diving trips, obligating owners to provide rescue and safety equipment and operate the Automatic Identification System (AIS) according to the regulations. It regulates the operation of marine clubs and maritime commercial activities, as well as the responsibilities of shipping agents, which include requiring certain foreign vessels to have insurance and provide a bank guarantee of KD100,000.
It granted judicial police powers to employees designated by the minister of the interior and stipulates settlement in several violations before referral to investigative authorities. It stipulates penalties like fines ranging from KD100 to KD20,000, and imprisonment for certain violations. Anyone operating a marine facility or floating unit under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be imprisoned for one to two years and fined up to KD3,000. The penalty increases to imprisonment for seven to 10 years and a fine of KD15,000 to KD20,000 if the violation results in injury or death.
