The Palau international Ship Registry issued a marine notice informing all Shipowners, Operators, Deputy Registrars, and Recognized Organizations about the implementation of regulations and sanctions imposed by the United Nations that affect sea trade in Ukrainian and Crimean Waters.
Specifically, the notice informs ship-owners, ship-operators, shipmanagers, and Masters of Palau registered vessels of the closure of Ukrainian seaports in the temporarily occupied territory of Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol: Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yalta, and Yevpatoria
The administration states that all Palau registered vessels are strictly prohibited from entering the ports of Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yalta, and Yevpatoria in the temporarily occupied territory of Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol.
Ukraine shall consider the calling of Palau registered ships at closed seaports in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol to be a violation of international law.
The Administration shall consider the calling of Palau registered ships in these closed seaports as an action that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine and a violation of the Law of Ukraine.
Thus, it is highlighted that any Palau registered vessel that is suspected of violating the prohibitions listed in Paragraphs 1.4, 1.5, or 1.6 will be subject to investigation.
If the vessel is found to have violated the prohibitions listed above, the vessel will be subject to a fine of US$15,000.00 and/or removal from the Palau International Ship Registry.
To remind, on 19 December 2014, the US imposed sanctions on Russian-occupied Crimea. These sanctions prohibit exports of US goods and services to the region. The Administration declares that these sanctions shall apply also to Palau registered vessels intending to export US goods and services to the ports listed above.
On 19 June 2015 the Council of the European Union imposed restrictions on economic activities with the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol. These restrictions apply to EU persons and EU based companies.
Concluding, it is advisable that the below restrictions shall also apply to owners, ship managements, and Masters of Palau registered vessels:
- An import ban on goods from Crimea and Sevastopol;
- Restrictions on trade and investment related to certain economic sectors and infrastructure projects;
- Restrictions on the supply of tourism services in Crimea or city Sevastopol;
- An export ban for certain goods and technologies; and
- A ban on providing tourism services in Crimea and city of Sevastopol, in particular, cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean Peninsula, except in case of emergency.