LP 12/2022 Updates on Situation of Black Sea Ports

The situation in Ukraine and Russia regarding port operation and the recent sea mine threat is updated.

Since the last update of LP 08/2022, the Association has been further informed of the current situation of ports in the Black Sea regarding the recent sea mine threat. The information, provided by the Association’s local correspondents Novorossiysk Marine Company Limited (Russia), CIS PandI Services (Ukraine), Vitsan Mumessillik Ve Musavirlik A.S. (Turkey) and Interservices S.A. (Romania), is summarized as follows.

I. The mine situation

There have been confirmed reports of an undetermined number of mines torn off by storm and drifting in the Black Sea since March 18^th local time, three of which have so far been intercepted.

• The Romanian Hydrographic Office issued a notice on 18 March 2022 requesting immediate report at telephone no. 0040241651040 upon sighting sea-mine like floating objects in northwest area of the Black Sea.
• Due to anti-clockwise current direction in western part of Black sea, mines are drifting southbound towards Bosporus strait.
• A fishing vessel reported on 26 March 2022 seeing an unidentified floating object similar to a mine at the vicinity of Istanbul Strait north anchorage area. Vessel traffic was then suspended in the Bosporus Strait. The Ministry of Defense of Turkey later announced that the mine was found and defused.
• The Ministry of Defense of Turkey reported on 28 March 2022 that another mine has been sighted in the vicinity off Igneada (Black sea side of Istanbul and close to Bulgaria Border) which was taken to a safe place by Turkish Navy in order to deactivate it.
• A drifting mine was sighted on 28 March 2022 at 0810 hrs in position 44°19.5' N 029°35.0' E, i.e. about 39 Nm ENE of Constantza Cape Midia. The drifting mine was destroyed subsequently remotely by a team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers.
• Searches have been and continue to be made by the Romanian Navy ships and also by ships of Bulgaria and Turkey.

II. Russian ports update

The Association’s local correspondents ANTARICA GROUP, Novorossiysk Marine Company Limited, and AXIS Ltd have advised us of the following information.

• Russian ports in the Black Sea area including Port Tuapse, Port Taman and relevant Crimea ports are continuing their normal operations. Port security level No.2 was established until 10 April 2022.
• Loading at the CPC Marine Terminal, Novorossiysk Port was suspended at all three mono-buoys. Presently loading through unit-1 is proceeding normally. Unit-2 and unit-3 are remain out of service due to weather conditions. Expected time of loading units repair service is around 3-4 weeks, yet there may be further delay with delivery of required spare equipment. CPC Terminal provides loading of around 2/3 of total volume of Kazakhstan crude oil.

III. Ukrainian ports update

Up to 29 March 2022, the Association’s local correspondent CIS Pandi Services has advised us of the following.

Ports operation

• Ports of Mariupol, Berdyansk, Skadovsk, Kherson and Bilgorod-Dnistrovskyi don’t operate, closed for vessels’ arrivals and departures.
• Ports of Mykolaiv, Olvia, Pivdennyi, Odessa, Chornomorsk partly carry out operations with the cargo from the berthed ships, and its shipment by railway/land transport. The ports are closed for the vessels’ arrivals and departures.
• Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaysk operate for vessels’ arrivals & departures.
• Due to blockade of the ports, Ukraine developed logistic options for export of agricultural products and iron ore by railway and land transport.
• Despite Russia’s media report about the humanitarian corridors for the ships stranded at the Ukrainian ports, there is no official notification from the Ukrainian authorities that it is possible. Local correspondents and lawyers have reminded us of the risk in using the corridor.

Crew problems

• Starting from 14 March 2022, immigration authorities jointly with the Ministry of External Affairs of Ukraine has arranged evacuation of the foreign crewmembers from the vessels stayed at the Ukrainian sea ports to the Embassies for further transfer to their home countries.
• In order to comply with the Minimum Safe Manning Requirements and in order to assure that the ship and cargo are properly cared of, Ukrainian seafarers may join from the ports of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaysk, subject to permission/exceptions in respect of their military age.
• Issuance of Certificates/Diplomas for the seafarers is held in Odessa & Izmail.
• Trade Union of Maritime Transport Workers of Ukraine addressed repeated appeal to the President of Ukraine and Cabinet of Ministers with request to determine procedure of crossing the border for Ukrainian seafarers to let them join the ships abroad. Yet possibility for the Ukrainian seafarers to cross the border by foot/land transport to join the ships abroad is currently not achieved.

IV. Advice to Members

The Association has noticed that some voyages to ports in the Black Sea region have been canceled, we still recommend to exercise caution when considering travel there and contact with local agents for updates on safe navigation. Ships are advised to maintain enhanced bridge watchkeeping and keep monitoring navigational alert sources during the voyage. Maneuver the ship in a prudent way to stay clear of any unidentified floating objects or ships in operation. Report immediately once any threat is found. With the Black Sea waters added to war risks trading exclusions, Members are advised to consult hull cover underwriters for additional premiums.

For more information, please contact Managers of the Association.