Ukraine - Black Sea Grain Initiative Procedures & Port Updates
11 August 2022
The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) of the UN backed Black Sea Grain Initiative has issued the “Procedures for Merchant Vessels” to facilitate the safe export of foodstuffs and fertilizers from the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny (Pivdennyi). The Procedures are mandatory requirements pursuant to the SOLAS Regulation XI-2/11 and the ISPS Code, Part A, section 4.2 and Part B, section 4.26, as a condition of port entry or departure to or from the Ukrainian ports.
To access a copy of the JCC Procedures for Merchant vessels which includes details of the route and different levels of protection under the initiative, click here.
A copy of the FAQs is available here.
Questions can be directed to [email protected]
Shipping companies remain responsible for arranging insurance and Members/Assureds intending to proceed to Ukraine should advise their broker/underwriters in advance.
Port Updates
Please note recent updates from two Ukraine Correspondents:
CIS PandI Services, Odessa, 9 August 2022:
• “The Ukrainian Sea Ports Administration (USPA) collects Applications from the shipowners for participation in the caravans [convoy]. The application form is at Appendix 2 of the Memorandum click here.
• Inspection arrangements
Inspection of the ships passing northbound (to Ukrainian ports) takes place at Black Sea side of Istanbul, as well as vessel’s clearance formalities.
Inspection & clearance of the ships passing southbound (from Ukrainian ports) take place at the Marmara Sea side of Istanbul.
In both cases clearance formalities break vessel’s transit status to free pratique status like a port call, resulting in extra port call charges (light/salvage/sanitary/agency/etc). Formalities take about 4-8 hrs.”
Dias Marine Consulting PC of 5 August 2022:
• “Today three more vessels loaded with grain left Ukrainian ports. Two vessels ( ‘Polarnet’ and ‘Rojen’ ) sailed from Chornomorsk and one vessel (‘Navi Star’) – from Odessa port…
• Presently only ships with grain cargos are allowed to leave Ukrainian ports.”