(AFP) The United States has denied reports that ships and sailors from certain countries are not allowed entry to its ports following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"The gist of these rumours is that ships, crews and passengers from particular countries would not be allowed into port and that certain crew and passengers for some ships allowed to enter would not be allowed to leave their ship.

"These rumours are false," the US embassy said in a statement today.

Local newspapers had reported that Malaysia was included in a list of 25 countries whose seamen were not allowed to disembark at ports in the US.

The statement said the coast guard was enforcing a wide range of security measures on all ships entering US ports and these measures may include a thorough check of crew and passenger lists and identifications.

One of the measures is that ships now must provide 24-hour advance notice of arrival along with the list of all persons aboard.

"This requirement is being applied to all ships (including US flag) regardless of country of registry, last port of call, or the nationality of those on board," the statement said.