Egypt ranks 19th in the world for violation of shipping regulations, according to a report by the International Maritime Organisationcited by Bikya Masr website. 

The website quotes Adel Shaaban, Director of the French Classification Authority in Alexandria, as saying that Egypt’s presence on the black list puts Egyptian vessels under supervision and inspection "as soon as they arrive in European ports, which is an extra burden on companies operating these ships".

As the Khaleej Times notes, "transport accidents are common in Egypt and are often blamed on poor maintenance and neglect."

In 2006, more than 1,000 people died when the Egyptian-owned Salam Boccaccio ferry capsized and sank in the Red Sea after a fire broke out on board. 

Last week, seven people died when a small boat sank on the Nile in Cairo. It had a capacity of seven people and was carrying 19. The operator has been arrested.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 19 July 2010.

UPDATE, 1 August 2010: On 31 July the boat's owner was sentenced to 10 years in jail.