Ukraine

Fines for deballasting in Ukraine - A number of ships have recently paid financial penalties to allow them to deballast at Ukrainian ports.

The fines arise because the Ukrainian Authorities have imposed very stringent limits on contaminants allowed to be discharged from ships, for example;0.75 mg/litre for suspended matters, 0.05 mg/litre for iron and 0.05 mg/litre for oil products.The ports of Odessa, Yuzhny and Ilyichevsk are particularly affected. In the experience of some Shipowners, these levels are lower than the level of contaminants already in the Black Sea where their ships have exchanged ballast prior to arrival at the port in accordance with the local requirements and their own ballast water management plans.

The State Ecological Inspection Authorities attend ships calling at Ukrainian ports during their inward clearance and take samples of the ballast to be discharged. The samples are then analysed and in the event that permissible levels are exceeded the ships are only allowed to discharge ballast on payment of a penalty. This penalty consists of compensation for damage to the environment, based on the applicable tariff for the level of contamination, and the quantity of ballast water discharged, plus an administrative fine. The total payment often exceeds US$15,000 and could be significantly greater. The alternative to payment of such a penalty is to deballast outside the 12 mile territorial sea zone, however the costs and practicalities of this usually make the penalty the more commercial option.

Masters should therefore ensure that they obtain detailed advice from the local agents on exchanging ballast as well as ship clearance and other procedures in plenty of time prior to arrival. By following such advice,and carefully complying with their own ballast water management plan,it will hopefully be possible to avoid or minimise any financial penalties.However,if Masters do encounter difficulties with the authorities they should contact the local Club Correspondent.

For more information see the 'Problems'section of the website of Club Correspondent,Dias Company Limited www.dias-co.com ('Deballasting in Ukrainian ports:some new aspects of the problem').