Saudi Arabia has introduced new procedural guidelines that allow temporary entry to its waters for up to six months for cruise ships and pleasure yachts.

The new guidelines, prepared by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, in partnership with the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), aim to grow the Kingdom’s marine tourism sector.

Although aimed at all forms of marine tourism, the new regulations will particularly make it easier for foreign cruise lines to homeport in the country for longer periods.

The new regulations apply to cruise ships, yachts, mega yachts, pleasure boats and vessels, diving boats and vessels, marine tank vessels, recreational submarines, and personal marine vessels. 

They will be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for a period of six months (180 days) with the possibility of extending it for a similar period.

The six-month entry permit will also apply to all sailing ships and yachts.

The regulations will facilitate temporary admission procedures with the shipping agent requested to register with the authority by submitting an electronic application on the official website and completing the relevant requirements described in the shipping agents guide.

Shipping agents will also need to maintain accurate and regular records of the services provided to customers and relevant intermediaries for customs and tax purposes.

The SRSA is the primary regulator of coastal tourism around the Red Sea within Saudi waters. It is tasked with launching initiatives for coastal tourism in the Red Sea and promoting the Kingdom’s development through tourism while preserving its environment.

The move to streamline and simplify foreign cruise ship and yacht entry to Saudi Arabian waters comes amid the Kingdom’s emergence as a prominent regional and international cruise destination and source market.

Saudi Arabia opened its waters to cruise ships for the first time in 2019 and since 2021 MSC Cruises has homeported annually in Jeddah, while several dozen cruise ships have made port calls on the Saudi Red Sea coastline.

Cruise Saudi, the government agency tasked with growing the local cruise industry is also in the process of launching the Arab world’s first homegrown cruise line, AROYA Cruises.

The Saudi Arabian cruise line will launch later this year with its first ship, Manara, the former World Dream of Dream Cruises, and one of the largest cruise ships in operation at 180,000 gross tons.

The mammoth vessel is currently undergoing a bow-to-stern refit and refurbishment in Europe.