Ukraine

Officially closing sea ports in Crimea

The development
Following on from recent developments, the Association has now learned that the Ministry of Infrastructure has issued a Directive No. 255 titled "On Closure of Sea Ports".

Pursuant to this Directive, Ukraine is formally closing sea ports in the Crimean region to international shipping.

This affects the following ports:

• Kerch
• Theodosia
• Sevastopol
• Yalta
• Evpatoria

This Directive is presently with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, and will take formal effect once officially published.

This publication is expected to take place 15 July 2014.

Key advice
Our correspondents caution that if a vessel were to call at a port in Ukraine after a call at a port in the Crimean region, then penalties could follow, including delays, detention and fines. Formal prosecution steps could also follow by Ukrainian authorities.

As members are aware, the present jurisdictional and legal situation with respect to the Crimean region is a political matter without a certain position.

The Association would advise members to always seek to comply with the laws of the jurisdiction within which their vessels operate or make ports of call.

Sanction information
For information on sanctions issues with respect to Ukraine and the Crimea region, please consult Insight: Ukraine Sanctions

For further information, members are asked to contact the Association: lossprevention@skuld.com