New procedure for issuance of permits for international vessels to call at Ukrainian river ports has come into effect

Ukraine has launched a new procedure for issuance of one-time only temporary permits to call at Ukrainian river ports for nonmilitary vessels under the flags of countries, with which Ukraine has no international agreements on navigation at domestic waterways.

According to this procedure, if any non military vessel is going to call at a Ukrainian river port, the administration of the flag’s country, a shipowner or its representative have, within at least 10 calendar days before ship’s arrival to the port, turn to the Ukrainian Sea and River Transport Inspection with a respective statement. The Inspection will register the statement and, after its verification for the presence of all the required information, will on the same day place an announcement on the transportation of export cargoes at its website sismit.gov.ua.

If, within 3 days from the placement of such announcement, no national transporter makes a presentation to the Inspection on the possibility for transportation of export cargoes, the agency issues a one-time only permit for the international cargo ship.

The document also provides for a comprehensive list of grounds for refusal to issue a one-time only permit and defines the requirements for captains of ports, having points for passing through the state border, in case of issuance of such permits.

The new procedure does not cover the putting of passenger, sports, and sailing ships and yachts in the inland water of Ukraine. Such vessels may call at the Ukrainian river ports without any additional permits.

Adapted from: port.odessa.ua