Ukraine: Port Situation *Update*

Complications and Delays to the Port of Yuzhny due to Access Permits – 13 April 2015

Further to North’s Circular Ref 2013/024 Ukraine – Carriage of Iron Concentrate and Iron Ore Fines Cargoes, it now appears that additional procedures for surveyors to gain access to the port have been introduced.

North’s local P&I correspondent has reported that in addition to the requirements detailed in the above Circular; Yuzhny Port’s Customs and Immigration Authorities now require surveyor’s permits to be applied for with original documents (i.e. no faxes or copies) and obtained in person.  This new process may result in further substantial delays in surveyor attendance in circumstances where a surveyor may be required.

Members with vessels proceeding to Yuzhny Port that may require a surveyor should give sufficient advance notice to the surveyor and port administration in order that permission to access the port may be obtained

Ukraine correspondents Dias & Co provided an update on the status of the country’s ports on 21 January 2015.

They have advised that Ukrainian ports are working in the usual manner without stoppages and that ships are being loaded/discharged without notable disruption. Public order is being maintained in port cities and there should be no increased security risks for foreign seafarers if entering the cities. However, the exception is the port of Mariupol, where correspondents recommend that foreign crews do not go ashore due to the reported increase in intensity of the conflict situation.

17 July 2014

Local P&I Correspondents Dias Marine Consulting advise that on 16 June Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure issued a Directive No. 255 entitled “On Closure of Sea Ports”.  The ports concerned are Evpatoria, Kerch, Feodosia, Yalta and Sevastopol and are located in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.  The Directive has now been published which means that it has come into force.

Members are advised that if a vessel calls at a port in Ukraine after a calling at a port in the Crimean region, then penalties could follow, including delays, detention and fines.  Formal prosecution could also follow by the Ukrainian authorities.  Further, there is at least the potential for Ukraine to ask the port states of a third country to arrest the vessel on Ukraine’s behalf.  Members are therefore recommended to avoid ports in Crimea.

Dias Marine Consulting have issued a statement on the current situation in the Ukraine and Crimea and a copy of this can be read here.

Members attention is also drawn to our recent news item on sanctions imposed by the EU against the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

28 May 2014

Local Correspondents (CIS Pandi Services) have advised that there is a risk of violence against crewmembers in the cities and potential for attacks on the ships staying in the ports run by un-controlled armed groups.  This is particularly the case in ports located in the East of Ukraine, (Mariupol, Berdyansk in the Sea of Azov).

There is also a risk of safety to navigation in Crimean ports as the Ukrainian government cannot guarantee safety at these locations, (Sevastopol, Yalta, Evpatoria, Kerch, Theodosia).  Relevant notification has been passed to the IMO Secretariat by Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20 May 2014.

In other Ukrainian ports (Odessa, Yuzhny, Ilychevsk, Kherson, Izmail, Nikolayev, Dneprobugsky, Octyabrsk, Belgorod-Dnestrovsky) the situation is under control as  security measures have been increased by the port authorities.

Relevant port passes for surveyors visiting ships should be arranged 2-3 days in advance.

16 April 2014

Further to the news item of 4 March, we have been advised by Dias Marine that despite the armed conflicts developing in the eastern regions of Ukraine, all Ukrainian ports are operating in the usual manner.

It is understood that the ports in Crimea – Sevastopol, Kerch and Theodosia – are also operating trouble-free. The correspondent has further advised that the loading of Ukrainian cargoes has not been prevented in these Crimean ports and customs clearance of export cargoes is being carried out by Ukrainian customs at port Yuzhny Outer Roads.

The EU and US have recently expanded the list of designated persons. Members trading with Russia and Ukraine should ensure that the voyage does not involve any of these persons or entities.

The situation remains dynamic and ever-changing and we continue to recommend contacting your local agent or P&I correspondent for the latest advice.

4 March 2014

North has received information (as of 2 March 2014) from Dias Marine Consulting PC, our correspondent in Odessa, on how the present crisis situation in Ukraine is affecting the county’s ports.

It has been reported that the ports of Odessa, Ilyichevsk and Yuzhny are operational, stable and under the control of the local authorities with no apparent disorder on the streets. A similar situation exists for the ports on the Azov Sea, Mariupol and Berdyansk.

The Black Sea port of Kherson is experiencing some civil unrest and the correspondents have recommended that ship’s crews refrain from venturing ashore.

The ports of the Nikolaev River are understood to be stable at present, however, there are reported tensions and the possibility of civil unrest on the streets. Again, the correspondents have recommended that ship’s crews do not go ashore.

Caution is advised if calling at or considering calling at Crimean ports, in particular the port of Sevastopol. There is a risk of military action and the situation is uncertain. The Crimean ports of Kerch and Theodosia are reportedly quiet at present, but the situation could change rapidly.

The situation in Ukraine, particularly Crimea, is developing rapidly and the situation on the ground may change quickly. For the latest advice we recommend contacting your local agent or P&I correspondent.