“The same law must apply to everyone” – MARAD tells US-sanctioned LOO

…says filing maritime licence application does not guarantee approval

The controversy over the non-issuance of a maritime licence to the United States (US)-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has intensified, as the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) maintains that it is carrying out its statutory responsibility to enforce Guyana’s maritime laws and safety requirements.
MARAD said on Friday that as Guyana’s statutory maritime regulator established under the Shipping Act, it is responsible for administering the country’s maritime laws, including the registration and licensing of vessels and seafarers and the enforcement of safety standards on the nation’s waterways.
It stressed that the submission of a licence application does not automatically entitle an applicant to approval, noting that MARAD must first be satisfied that all applicable statutory, safety, competency and regulatory requirements have been met.
“The same law must apply to everyone,” the statement said, adding that political office, wealth or popularity does not confer an entitlement to a maritime licence. According to the statement, MARAD has publicly indicated that its records show neither a fast craft reportedly owned by Mohamed nor Mohamed himself was licensed or otherwise authorised to operate. The statement described the issue as a maritime safety matter, particularly in light of reports from the Joint Services concerning a recent incident involving the vessel.

According to those reports, the vessel was encountered at night travelling at high speed and was signalled to stop. It allegedly failed to comply, resulting in a pursuit before it was intercepted. The statement said those circumstances should be investigated and determined by the competent authorities, while cautioning against attempts to discredit MARAD for enforcing regulatory requirements. It also highlighted Mohamed’s designation by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme.
The statement further said Mohamed is facing extradition proceedings to the US in relation to charges including tax evasion and conspiracy to commit money laundering and remains indicted by a federal grand jury in South Florida. It argued that these circumstances require public authorities dealing with a sanctioned individual to carefully consider the legal, financial, banking, contractual and compliance implications of any transaction. The statement contended that maritime safety standards must be applied consistently and should not be relaxed because an applicant has political or financial influence.
“Attacking the regulator does not cure non-compliance,” it said. It maintained that MARAD’s licensing regime exists to protect passengers, crews and other users of Guyana’s waterways from the risks associated with vessels being operated outside established safety requirements. The statement noted that MARAD would continue to carry out its regulatory responsibilities “without fear, favour, or political intimidation”, stressing that maritime safety and regulatory compliance must apply equally to all applicants.

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