Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates has announced the release of the Egyptian fishing vessel Mohamed Abu Al-Azaem, which had been detained in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region on the Red Sea after inadvertently entering Saudi territorial waters on 16 October 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said its efforts over recent weeks had succeeded in securing the vessel’s release through ongoing co-operation with the Saudi authorities.
The vessel has departed the Tabuk region and is en route to Egypt with its nine Egyptian crew members on board. It was provided with fuel, food and all necessary supplies to ensure a safe return journey.
The ministry renewed its call for fishermen and fishing vessel crews to comply with maritime navigation and fishing regulations and to avoid entering the territorial waters of neighbouring countries.
