Ukraine – UK Sanctions relating to Russia and Local update of 3 March 2022

3 March 2022

Further to our News Alert of 2 March outlining the latest Russia sanctions (click here), the UK has now issued new sanctions that includes a ban on Russian ships from UK ports. The UK government press release is available here.

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022

•Provides for the designation of vessels/ships for the purposes of the new shipping sanctions (below);

•prohibits access to UK ports by Russian ships and other ships specified by the Secretary of State, unless in case of emergency;

•authorises the Secretary of State and harbour authorities to detain Russian ships or specified ships at UK ports or anchorages;

•authorises the Secretary of State to control the movement of Russian ships, ships owned, controlled, chartered or operated by a designated person/entity or a person/entity “connected with Russia”, or specified ships by requiring them to leave or enter specified ports, proceed to a specified place or remain in place; and

•prohibits the registration of ships on the UK Ship Register where they are owned, controlled, chartered or operated by a designated person/entity or a person/entity “connected with Russia”, or specified by the Secretary of State.


Statutory Guidance on the sanctions are provided here. It seems that a person/entity “connected with Russia” is defined as:

• an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, ordinarily resident in Russia,

• an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, located in Russia,

• a person, other than an individual, which is incorporated or constituted under the law of Russia, or

• a person, other than an individual, which is domiciled in Russia.

Russian ships include vessels registered in Russia or flying the flag of Russia – which are also prohibited from UK ports.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Guidance states that “These sanctions do not apply to other ships originating from or destined for Russian ports; ships carrying cargo to or from Russia are not within scope of the transport sanctions unless they fall within the definition of a Russian ship or specified ship as above. These Regulations do not apply to ships (that are not otherwise included in the Regulations) with Russian crews or Masters, unless they are a designated person.”

Local Situation in Ukrainian ports

Please note the latest update received today from a Ukraine Correspondent, Dias Marine Consulting PC:

“Armed hostilities are still conducted in many regions of Ukraine. Heavy fighting take place near the cities Kiev, Kharkov, Mariupol...

All Ukrainian ports are still closed for inward/outward passages.

Should the Club learn of any changes to the above, a further News Alert will be sent.