Crimean ports closed to international shipping On 15 July 2014 the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure Decree No. 255 dated 16 June 2014 “On Closure of Sea Ports” was published and immediately entered into force. Hence the Crimean ports Evpatoria, Kerch, Sevastopol, Theodosia and Yalta are now closed to international shipping.
The practical implications of breaching the Ukrainian ban on calling Crimean ports is unclear, but could result in detention and/or fines, as well as criminal charges against master, crew and owners.
Russia’s announcement that it will close access to the Kerch Strait which connect the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov has triggered a reaction within the London insurance market.
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) has recently launched a survey concerning corrupt practices in Ukraine. Such practices may take many forms e.g. demands for facilitation payments (low level payments paid to low level government officials to complete routine tasks the company is entitled to), cash payments or in kind requests made by various port authorities.
