The current situation in Ukraine is fast moving. Dangerous sea areas and changes in the operational status of ports may occur at any time. Updates received from correspondents are published below. You are strongly advised to contact local agents for the latest advice should you have a vessel trading to Ukraine. Our team will report on new sanctions as they are rolled out. Please contact a member of the Sanctions Advice Team for guidance.
11 October 2024
A Russian missile strike on the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine on October 9th, the third Black Sea port attack on Ukrainian ports in four days, killed six people and injured eight more. The attack also damaged container ship Shui Spirit (IMO 9216729).
There had been attacks on October 6th in the port of Yuzhne, and then on October 7th an attack on a vessel in Odesa Port.
30 September 2024
Correspondents Eurogal Surveys Ltd and Lloyds Agents for Ukraine brings us the updates on the overview of situation in Ukraine below:
Danube crisis
There is a continued tendency of reorientation of the grain flow from The Danube region and Romanian Constanta towards Ukrainian Black Sea Ports.
Calling Ukrainian Black Sea ports
In order to submit application form to Odessa port authorities enabling them to include the ship into the plan of formation of caravan (Ukrainian authorities have direct line with Military forces), the following documents to be provided:
- Letter of Guarantee (Warranty letter)
- Application for entry/departure of a vessel to/from seaports of Ukraine
- Crew list
- Port of call list
Read the newsletter for more details here.
8 August 2024
Advice regarding the in/outbound vessels traffic through the corridor to/from the Ukrainian ports (Chornomorsk, Odesa, Pivdennyi).
Arrival/departure formalities are carried out in accordance with the Code of Customs and Mandatory Regulations of the relevant seaport.
- While passing the corridor the AIS signal must be turned off and the navigation radars must be turned on.
- When 5 miles to arrive to the Northern waiting area and during the period when vessel is located in the Ukrainian port AIS signal must be turned on and the navigation radars must be turned off.
Specific route coordinates for vessel traffic are also listed in the reminder note.
Read the reminder note here.
12 December 2023
Svertilov Marine Consulting LLC advise:
- The main Ukrainian ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny (Pivdennyi) continue to operate.
- Port Yuzhny (Pivdennyi) is carrying out cargo operations 24/7, but is subject to some restrictions:
- Vessels are transiting north-west Black Sea but face potential risks of missiles strike, drone attacks or floating mines.
- Any ship’s call should be agreed with the Military Administration in advance.
- The Administration will provide the calling vessel, via the ship’s agent, with a map that has coordinates of navigation routes.
- Vessels are transiting north-west Black Sea but face potential risks of missiles strike, drone attacks or floating mines.
- Any ship’s call should be agreed with the Military Administration in advance.
- The Administration will provide the calling vessel, via the ship’s agent, with a map that has coordinates of navigation routes.
Master should issue a Letter of Guarantee that Master/Owners are fully liable for any damages, losses due to military status, attacks, mines, etc. or reimbursement should be arranged as per in accordance with the provisions of The Cabinet Ministers of Ukraine Decree dated 26 May 2023 No 548. This letter is addressed to Administration of Marine Ports of Ukraine prior to ship’s call.
22 November 2023
Club correspondent Dias advise that the ports of Odessa, Pivdenniy and Chornomorsk are currently operational for grain shipments: Waiting vessels are held at Sulina anchorage.
Guidance on using the grain corridor is also provided by Dias which can be read here.
11 October 2023
As of 00:00 local time on 16 October 2023, the Russian Government Order will come into effect which restricts the entry of Ukrainian nationals into Russia.
The impact this Government Order is likely to have on shipping is provided by correspondents Pandi Services East:
- According to the local agents, from 16 October if a Ukrainian citizen is serving on board a vessel calling at a Russian port, the authorities will:
- Place the subject vessel to the end of the queue for clearance, berthing and loading.
- Carry out an exhaustive inspection of the vessel and interview all crew members (not only Ukrainians.
- This process is expected to result in delays of around 7 hours for each of inward and outward clearance.
- During this inspection, the berth/terminal area will be closed. As such, port operations will be suspended during this period.
- Some agents in Ust-Luga advise that Ukrainian crew will not be permitted to enter the port and perform cargo operations.
- Shore leave and crew change of Ukrainian crew will be prohibited in Russia
- There is no clear understanding on what will happen if the Order is violated.
- It is not yet clear whether any fines may be imposed.
Correspondents provide the general recommendation of arranging the signing-off of Ukrainian crew before arrival in Russia.
18 September 2023
Club correspondent Dias advise:
- The current situation in Ukraine is fast moving. Dangerous sea areas and changes in the operational status of ports may occur at any time. Updates received from correspondents are published below. You are strongly advised to contact local agents for the latest advice should you have a vessel trading to Ukraine.
- The sanctions situation is expected to develop rapidly. A whole range of onerous sanctions against Russian entities has been reported as being in preparation. Our team will report on new sanctions as they are rolled out. Please contact a member of the Sanctions Advice Team for guidance.
- Shipping corridors for Ukrainian ports are now operational. So far this has allowed four vessels to depart from Ukrainian ports.
- The Naval Forces highlight a military threat and mine danger from Russia persists along all the traffic corridors. Therefore, to receive a permit to use the announced traffic corridors, the owners/masters of the vessels must officially confirm their willingness to navigate in the current conditions.
- According to the Ukrainian Naval Forces, the traffic corridors will primarily be used to enable the departure of civilian (commercial) vessels blocked in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi.
- Two vessels have arrived for loading operations at Chornomorsk port (see also article from Tradewinds).
- Despite the attacks disrupting operations at Danube River ports, they continue to operate.
Svertilov Marine Consulting advise:
- Regular drone and missile attacks on the Danube River ports of Izmail and Reni have destroyed some of the port facilities, including several grain silos, the passenger terminal, grain terminals and seamen’s club’s building.
- However, loading operations continue and port is working in a slower but usual regime with some precaution measures.
- All cargo operations are suspended during night and in the event of air-raid warnings. All stevedoring works at the port and vessel pilotage is possible at daytime only.
- The anchorages for both ports are open.
- According to information from the Ukrainian Marine Administration, inward and outward passage for vessels of both ports is free.
- Delays and congestion at the ports are expected due to vessel traffic, port capacity, military activity, and delays in cargo supply to the port due to road conditions in this region of Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian Government is working on safety of navigation and arrange a protection of merchant vessel routes from Izmail, Reni and through Sulina canal.
4 August 2023
Following the attack on the naval base near Novorossiysk, club correspondent Novorossiysk Marine Company Limited advised that the port of Novorossiysk had temporarily closed to vessel traffic but is now back to normal.
Cargo operations in the port and terminals continue as normal, including CPC Terminal, which is outside of port area. Presently, the port is operating under MARSEC level No.2.
Correspondents further advise that vessels proceeding to Novorossiysk area must refer to latest Notice to Mariners and NAVAREA/ NAVTEX warnings in order to be aware of areas where merchant traffic is prohibited and areas where naval exercises are taking place.
26 July 2023
The United Kingdom has warned that it has information indicating Russia’s military may start to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
The UK’s United Nations Ambassador stated: “Our information indicates that the Russian military may expand their targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities further, to include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea”. The British Ambassador further advised that their intelligence indicates that Russia has laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports.
25 July 2023
News agencies report that Russia has attacked the Danube ports of Reni and Izmail. It is reported that Russian drones destroyed grain warehouses in the early hours of Monday 24 July, which follows recent attacks on grain facilities in the port of Odesa.
Correspondents Antarica advise:
- Since the attack on the Crimea bridge on 17 July, traffic through the Kerch strait and adjacent anchorages continues to be affected. Presently the traffic is re-established and will further be increased gradually to the standard level.
- Higher levels of security are in place for port Kavkaz and anchorages.
- The port of Taman is operating normally.
- Recently this year port of Taman has stopped shipment of LPG for export. Details may be found here.
- However, all the other cargos (coal, sulfur, grain, oil products) are shipped in customary manner and at planned volumes.
- The port administrations of the Russian Black Sea ports (Taman; Novorossiysk; Tuapse) do not have any special/additional circulars related to the recent Ukraine’s declaration regarding the higher risks of sailing in the NE and SE part of Black Sea.
- The Antarica bulletin of April 2023 remains valid. View the bulletin here.
21 July 2023
News agency Reuters report that the Russian Defence Ministry have announced that all ships travelling to Ukrainian ports will be considered to be potential carriers of military cargo and their flag countries to be parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side.
The Russian statement read:
“In connection with the cessation of the functioning of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the сlosing of the maritime humanitarian corridor, from 00.00 Moscow time on 20 July 2023, all vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo. Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime. In addition, a number of sea areas in the north-western and south-eastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation. Corresponding information warnings on the withdrawal of safety guarantees to mariners have been issued in accordance with the established procedure.”
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has subsequently issued a statement that warns:
“…from 00:00 on July 21, 2023, all vessels heading in the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of the seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the corresponding risks. In addition, navigation in the areas of the North-Eastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch-Yenikal Strait of Ukraine is prohibited as dangerous, from 05:00 on July 20, 2023. Relevant navigational information for mariners has already been published.”
Correspondents Dias further advise:
- Danube River ports Reni and Izmail continue to operate as usual.
- For the past few days Russia has been carrying out constant bombing of Odesa region with all types of missiles and drones. They have already destroyed warehouses full of grains as well as other cargoes, terminal machinery, railways, administrative buildings, etc. Their priority targets are local ports, however collateral damage to the civilian infrastructure and local people is colossal.
- The statement from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (above) is self-explanatory. There are no additional comments from the MOD available at this time.
