Ukraine - Closure of Sea Ports in Crimea
Ukraine - Closure of Sea Ports in Crimea
Further to the our News Item of 10th July 2014, Club correspondents Dias Marine Consulting PC have provided the following helpful clarification concerning the situation in Crimean ports and especially the port of Kerch:
“We still receive numerous inquiries from the Shipowners, Managers and Operators regarding the Crimean ports – many of them want to know what ports belong to the annexed territory of Crimea. To answer such questions we would like to repeat that the Crimean ports are: Sevastopol, Kerch. Theodosia (or Feodosia), Yevpatoria and Yalta. If a ship calls any of these ports for loading, discharge, bunkering or other operations she should further refrain from calling at a Ukrainian port in order to avoid problems with Ukrainian authorities. More detailed information in this regard can be found in our previous notifications.
Loading of ships in the port of Kerch
We have already reported that in the port of Kerch loading of the ships is carried out at the Outer Roads, away from the port. We have information that the anchorage where the cargo operations are performed has been recently moved away from the shoreline and now is located beyond the 12 miles zone. It’s understood that no one made any official measurements and there is no official confirmation that the anchorage point of loading is not within the 12 miles zone, but if it’s really so then the ships under cargo operations at the anchorage of the port of Kerch cannot be considered as having called at a Crimean port and thus cannot get on the ‘Black List’ of such ships. I would also like to remind you that the loading of ships in the port of Kerch is carried out without passing of Immigration, Customs and Sanitary Clearance and without involvement of the respective authorities. Therefore, again, formally, such ships are not considered as having visited the port and the territory of Crimea.
I think it advisable that the owners of the ships proceeding to the Kerch port outer anchorage for loading should enquire about the coordinates of this point with the charterers to be sure of the ship’s expected loading position.”
Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department.