How The Russia-Ukraine War Will Affect Shipping?

Update 14 February 2023

Club correspondents in Georgia, GEOMAR Maritime Consultants & Surveyors LLC advise:

• On 13 February, during stormy weather conditions, the explosion of sea mine within 3 miles of Batumi port was observed. Due to the current weather conditions, mine searches are not yet initiated.
• The State Hydrography Service have issued Circular 04/1 warning of the risk of drifting mines in Georgian coastal waters, which can be read here.

Update 3 January 2023

Vessels engaged in the Black Sea Grain Initiative that are instructed to wait in anchorage areas in Turkish waters could be affected by new requirements.

Club correspondents in Turkiye, Vitsan advise that an increase in collision incidents around the south entrance of Istanbul Strait has led to new regulations to control ship traffic density, taking effect on 5 January 2023.

The new requirements are detailed in a new notification from the Directorate General of Maritime of Turkiye regarding Istanbul Strait South Anchorage Areas. It designates which vessels are to use the Istanbul Strait Anchorage areas (Area A, B and C) and Kucukcekmece Anchorage Areas (G), including those vessels waiting as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative shipping corridor.

Vitsan inform that:

1. C Anchorage Area will be assigned to vessels which will stay at anchorage for long periods waiting to be berthed to / departed from shore facilities.
2. Kucukcekmece (G) anchorage area will be assigned to vessels carrying dangerous goods
3. Vessels will not be allowed to stay at anchorage area A, B and C more than 72 hours – those vessels intending to stay longer will be directed to convenient other anchorage areas in Marmara Sea.

There is an apparent contradiction between points 1 and 3 regarding ‘long periods’ and a maximum stay of 72 hours with regard to anchorage area ‘C’. Vitsan advise that specific instructions will be provided to the vessel by local VTS.

Update 29 November 2022

Club correspondent Dias advise:

After recent heavy missile attacks, Odessa and the surrounding region are experiencing significant problems with power supply. The city has electrical power only for 5-6 hours a day (including night).

Members trying to contact P&I correspondents should be aware that the power outages are affecting communications and that there may be delays in responding to messages.

Update 22 November 2022

Svertilov Marine Consulting LLC advise:

• Odessa, Pivdenniy (ex-Yuzhny) and Chornomorsk ports are open. continuing to operate for grain and related cargoes under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
• The corridors continue to operate although some delays experienced at the Turkish Inspection Area.
• Vessels that pass the inbound JCC inspection proceed directly to the load port. They may have to wait at the port area until the berth will be released as the anchorages of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi are closed.
• Below is a scan of new routes as per Black Sea Grain Initiative.

• On 11 November 2022, the Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine resumed control of Kherson ports. However, ports of Kherson remain closed and stabilization measures (de-mining, repair works in the ports, repair of electricity networks, etc.) are in progress.
• Martial Law is extended until 19 February 2023.
• Due to imposed curfew (23:00 hrs till 05:00 hrs) ports operate in daytime only. In event of missiles air strikes warnings, ports operations will be stopped.
• Ports on River Danube continue to work but are congested: Izmail, Reni, Ust-Dunaysk.
• Ports of Nikolayev, Ochakov, Olvia, Dnepro-Bugskiy are under control of Ukraine, but vessel movements are prohibited.
• Ports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk as well as the Crimean ports of Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yevpatoria, Yalta are still under Russian control.
• A vessel calling at any Ukrainian port which has earlier visited any of the Crimean ports of Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, Feodosia after March 2014, will be detained and sanctions by Ukrainian Authorities will be imposed.
• Many regions of Ukraine are without power and communication. Due to these blackouts, some delays in vessel and cargo operations may take place.
• Ample time is required for arranging port/terminal pass. Terminals at the ports of Pivdennyi, Odessa and Chornomorsk ports have own pass and security regime. Pass arrangements for P&I surveyor should be made in advance – not less than 3 full working days prior notice for surveyor’s attendance.
• Risks of floating mines at North-West part of Black Sea.

Update 17 November 2022

The Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) agreement has been renewed for four more months.

Update 6 October 2022

Maritime security consultants Risk Intelligence advise:

• The Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) continues to operate, with vessels undertaking both north and southbound transits.
• Since the first vessel left Odessa on 1 August, a reported total of 484 vessels have so far used the corridor
• Details on overall state of operations in Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny, the three ports in included in the deal, are unverified, although facilities supporting the BSGI are assessed as functioning, though not at full capacity.
• In addition to the BSGI, various cargo, including grain, is also exported through the Ukrainian Danube ports and the Port of Constanta, and in much lesser degree by rail and road
• Russian military operations in Ukraine continue, with focus mainly in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. Counter-offensive operations, by Ukrainian forces, are also being reported.
• Martial law currently in place until 21 November, with some local night-time curfews in place.
• All Ukrainian ports are operating at ISPS level 3.
• The occupied Ukrainian Sea of Azov ports (Mariupol and Berdyansk) is disputed, with Russian military and local authorities reporting the ports to be open. Vessels that are allegedly transporting stolen Ukrainian goods and grain are being allowed into the ports.
• Other Ukrainian controlled ports have remained closed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022
• Aside from the affected areas, the Black Sea is assessed as operating normally – including Russian ports, which are operating at ISPS level 2.
• The area of the NW Black Sea, north of 45-21’N near the Ukrainian and Crimean coasts, is still assessed as a generally prohibited area of navigation by the Russian Navy.
• Russian officials announced that the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait is closed for transit – though prioritised transits occur daily.
• There is an ongoing threat from drifting mines and sightings of mines and mine-like objects have previously been reported. While a connection to the war is likely, the exact origin of individual mines is uncertain and specific details are difficult to verify, which adds to the operational uncertainty
• Additional area threats include incidents of GPS spoofing mainly to the east and north-east

Update 31 August 2022

The Joint Coordination Centre procedures for the safe export of grain, other foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from the three Ukrainian ports covered by the Black Sea Grain Initiative were updated on 26 August 2022.

The guidelines contain navigational and operational rules, notifications, and instructions for ship operators and ship owners and cover security elements. They describe a range of specific requirements, including how vessels should sail in the designated maritime humanitarian corridor.

Download here.

Dias Marine Consulting report that Ukrainian authorities have introduced measures to allow certain groups of seafarers to travel abroad during martial law; namely cadets undergoing practical training on ships, crews of ships involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products during the implementation of the Initiative on safe transportation through the Black Sea and a certain category of sailors who work abroad, exclusively on agreement with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Maritime security consultants Risk Intelligence advise:

• The Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) continues to operate, with vessels undertaking both north and southbound transits.
• Details on overall state of operations in Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny, the three ports in included in the deal, are unverified, although facilities supporting the BSGI are assessed as functioning, though not at full capacity.
• Russian military operations in Ukraine continue, with focus mainly in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine.
• Martial law currently in place until 21 NOV, with some local night-time curfews in place.
• All Ukrainian ports are operating at ISPS level 3.
• Ukrainian Danube ports (Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk) are reported open and operating
• The occupied Ukrainian Sea of Azov ports (Mariupol and Berdyansk) is disputed, with Russian military and local authorities reporting the ports to be open. Vessels that are allegedly transporting stolen Ukrainian goods and grain are being allowed into the ports.
• Aside from the affected areas, the Black Sea is assessed as operating normally – including Russian ports, which are operating at ISPS level 2.
• The area of the NW Black Sea, north of 45-21’N near the Ukrainian and Crimean coasts, is still assessed as a generally prohibited area of navigation by the Russian Navy.
• Similarly, Russian officials announced that the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait is closed for transit – though prioritised transits occur daily.
• Sea mines are reported to have been deployed near the Ukrainian Black Sea coast

Update 21 April 2022

Novorossiysk Marine Company has provided an update on Russian port status, Russian navigational warnings and Russian sanction countermeasures which can be read here.

Update 7 April 2022

NATO Shipping Center (NSC):

• NATO has issued a warning of the threat of drifting mines in the Northwest, West, and Southwest areas of the Black Sea.  They advise of several reports of mine-like objects in the Black Sea in the last week.
• Drifting mines have been detected and deactivated in the Western Black Sea by coastal nation’s authorities ( NAVAREA III-126/22 and NAVAREA III 017/22). Searches for mine-like objects are ongoing, led by national authorities. The threat of additional drifting mines cannot be ruled out.
• Any sightings of mine-like objects should be reported to coastal authorities and shipping should remain well clear of the hazard. NSC strongly advises masters to take all precautions to mitigate the threat including avoiding floating objects, keep the forward area of the ship clear of crew, and using effective lookouts. Merchant vessels are also reminded to monitor the local authorities’ broadcasts for the latest Navigational Warnings.
• National Coastal Warnings have been broadcast recommending the safe routes for shipping in the Western Black Sea (ref. Costal Warning NW 18/29.03.2022. BLACK SEA. ROMANIA). Shipping is advised to use these routes and stay in contact with relevant authorities.
• The threat of collateral damage or direct hits on civilian shipping in the War Risk Area (NAVAREA III 0124/2022) of the Black Sea area remains HIGH.
• The threat of GPS jamming, AIS spoofing, communications jamming, electronic interference and cyber-attacks in the area are also considered HIGH.
• Harassment and diversion of shipping in the area cannot be excluded.
• The latest list of NAVWARNS in force are accessible in detail on the link:NAVAREA III warnings in force (defensa.gob.es). NAVAREA COORDINATOR III Contact Information: Address: Director del Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina Plaza San Severiano, 3 11007 Cádiz Spain Contact details: NAVAREA III Coordinator: Head of Navigational Section Tel: / +34 956 59 93 99 / +34 956 59 94 09 avisosihm@fn.mde.es; ihmesp@fn.mde.es.
• Please find below map depicting NAVIGATION WARNINGS in force on 04 April 2022, which have been issued by Spanish Hydrographic Office NAVAREA COORD III:

• Vessels are recommended to ensure automatic identification system (AIS) is always transmitting (except when the master believes AIS operation might compromise the safety or security of the ship), consistent with provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and monitor VHF Channel 16. It is recommended to continue to transmit your AIS signal throughout the Black Sea, containing basic identification information as a minimum. Please report any incident to NSC by email to: info@shipping.nato.int.

Correspondent in Turkey Vitsan AS advise:

• The Defense of Ministry of Turkiye has just announced that a third mine was sighted at Black Sea by patrol planes off Kefken / TURKIYE which is on the east side and about 90 nm from Istanbul Strait north entrance.
• Vessels navigating in the region are advised to maintain a sharp lookout and to pay close attention to local navigation warnings.If / when any drifting mines or similar objects are sighted, it should be immediately reported to Turkish Radio (VHF Ch 16), Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (00 90 312 232 47 83, sar@uab.gov.tr/trmrcc@uab.gov.tr), Turkish Naval Forces (00 90 312 403 22 22, denkom.harekatmrk@dzkk.tsk.tr), Turkish Coast Guard Command Centre (00 90 312 416 48 01, ihbar@sg.gov.tr)

Update 4 April 2022

Joint War Committee: New Listed Areas – More changes have been announced to the Listed Areas after a review by the Joint War Committee. JWLA-030 has been issued regarding the addition of Russia and an amendment to the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the inland waters of Ukraine.

The current Listed Areas (areas of perceived enhanced risk) can be read here: JWLA-030 – Russia

Update 31 March 2022

INTERSERVICES S.A. P&I Correspondents report that the Romanian Hydrographic Office has issued a Notice to Mariners regarding drifting mines in the Black Sea which can be read here.

Update 9 March 2022

Svertilov Marine Consulting report that under Ukrainian Law, war and military activity is considered as Force-Majeure circumstance. Therefore, the time bar for people claims and other claims started prior to invasion are suspended indefinitely until the courts can sit again. Appropriate circulars have been issued by The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine.

Update 4 March 2022

Black Sea Law Company report that on 2 March 2022, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine addressed an official Letter No.933/46/14-22 to all parties in the maritime business asking not to apply demurrage for the storage of containers in Ukrainian ports. Download the official Letter of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine №933 / 46 / 14-22 dated March 2, 2022 (click here).