War in Ukraine: Ship with Greek sailors trapped in the port of Odessa

A Greek-flagged ship with six Greek sailors is stopped at a port in Odessa, Ukraine, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Shipping.

The ship is not allowed to set sail due to the general ban imposed by the Ukrainian army after the Russian invasion.

The announcement of the Ministry of Shipping in detail:

“According to the survey / recording, in the sea area of ​​the northern Black Sea (ports, anchorages and territorial waters of Russia and Ukraine) there are eight (8) ships under the Greek flag with sixty one (61) Greek sailors while in the southern Black Sea are five (5) ships under the Greek flag with thirty nine (39) Greek sailors.

Of the first eight, one (1) is in the port of Juzne Odessa, one (1) is in Romanian territorial waters, while the remaining six (6) are anchored in either Novorossiysk, Russia or the Kerch Strait off Crimea.

So far, the presence of five (5) Greek-owned ships in the northern part of the Black Sea, with 19 Greek sailors on board, has been confirmed.

The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) Joint Military Committee has listed Russian and Ukrainian waters of the Black and Azov Seas in the list of areas with increased military, piracy, terrorism and related hazards.

Based on the above announcement of the LMA, the terms and conditions of insurance of ships against war hazards located in the area in question are changed and will be the subject of a special negotiation between shipowners and insurers. The announcement does not affect the terms of seafaring.

As of 24/2, Russia has announced a suspension of navigation in the Sea of ​​Azov (closure of the Kerch Strait).

The Greek shipping community (NEE, EEE EENMA, PNO and PEPEN) is constantly informed by YNANP about any development.

From the very first hours of the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24/2, a recommendation was issued to Greece as a flag state, for immediate removal and non-approach of Greek merchant ships to and from the ports and territorial waters of Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Black Sea, as well as at the anchorages of the above ports.

Yesterday 26/2, the Masters of the Greek and Greek-owned were informed to further increase the security measures they have already taken for the safety of their crews and ships.

The Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center and the Maritime Labor Directorate communicate regularly with masters of all Greek ships in the area and no other problem has been reported.

Also from the side of the Ship Control Sector, as of 24/02, the shipping operators are constantly informed that their ships, when sailing in the ports of the two countries in the Black and Azov Seas, must apply increased security measures.

The only recorded problem, so far, is located in the port of Yuzne in Odessa, where a cargo ship under the Greek flag, with six Greek sailors, is parachuted. The ship is not granted departures by the Ukrainian authorities due to the suspension of operation, by order of the Ukrainian navy, of the country’s ports due to the war.

YNANP requested the assistance of the Greek Consular Authority in Odessa for its intervention to the local authorities and the provision of any possible assistance, with the aim of sailing the ship.

At the level of the European Commission, the specialization of the sanctions is pending by the competent bodies of the EU Council, the meeting of which continues. With the completion of the legislative process, which is estimated today or at the latest within the next two days, the degree that they also concern the maritime transport will be known.

Finally, it should be noted that the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Giannis Plakiotakis, has been in constant communication with the captains of these ships since 24/2 “.