Presidential Decree No. 352 of 2001 regarding the establishment of the General Authority for Maritime Affairs.

This Resolution, comprising 25 articles, establishes the Maritime Affairs Authority (MAA) of Yemen under the supervision of the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs. The Authority is entrusted with the following core functions (i) Maritime Safety and Navigation: Acting as the regulatory body responsible for ensuring that Yemeni territorial waters are safe and compliant with international standards. Its duties include: (a) inspecting vessels - both national and foreign - to verify their technical condition and ensure safe navigation; (b) issuing certification and professional documentation for seafarers; (c) carrying out Port State Control (PSC) by inspecting foreign ships entering Yemeni ports to ensure compliance with international conventions; and (d) managing aids to navigation, including the installation and maintenance of lighthouses, buoys, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) systems; (ii) Protection of the Marine Environment: This includes (a) preventing pollution by enforcing regulations on the discharge of hydrocarbons and other harmful substances from ships, and (b) coordinating emergency response efforts, including cleanup operations in the event of oil spills or other maritime environmental incidents; (iii) Search and Rescue (SAR): Overseeing maritime rescue coordination centers to respond to distress calls (SOS) from vessels and cooperating with neighboring countries and international organizations in cross-border rescue operations; (iv) Investigations and Legal Affairs: Including (a) conducting technical investigations into maritime incidents such as collisions, groundings, and onboard fires to determine causes and prevent recurrence; (b) drafting maritime legislation and regulations for submission to the government to strengthen the national legal framework; and (c) maintaining the registry of vessels flying the Yemeni flag.
The Resolution defines the financial and governance protocols of the Authority. It provides for a Board of Directors as the primary administrative body, ensuring inter-ministerial coordination with the Ministry of Oil and Minerals and the Ministry of Fish Wealth.