On 23 June 2014, the European Union published Regulation 692/2014 introducing trade sanctions in respect of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol and on the provision, directly or indirectly, of financing or financial assistance, as well as insurance and reinsurance, related to the import of such goods.

As members are already aware, on 24 November 2014, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States (the P5+1) reached an agreement with Iran on its nuclear programme and jointly published a Joint Plan of Action (JPA) which included the implementation of a temporary suspension of certain trasportation and insurance prohibitions measures for a period of six months with effect from 20 January 2014.

People's attention is drawn to the growing concerns in regard to the spread of the Ebola virus disease in West Africa, in particular, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

In response to resent actions oand use of violence in Ukraine both the EU and the US have introduced samctions which are limited to targeting certain individuals. There are currently no measures aimed specifically at shipping or insurance. However, members and assured with vessels calling at ports in Ukraine should ensure that no sanctioned individuals or entities are involved.