M/V 'Bellatrix' was detained in port of Rostov on Don, in Russia, on 16 November 2018. This was the third detention in the Paris MoU region within the last 24 months for the ship, which carries the flag of Togo. Currently, this flag is black on the Paris MoU WGB list.
According to the provisions of section 4 of the Paris MoU, Article 16 of EU Council Directive 2009/16/EC, the ship will be refused further access to any port and anchorage in the Paris MOU region, except a port and anchorage of the ship’s flag State.
This refusal of access will become applicable immediately after the ship is authorized to leave this port and anchorage. As this is the first refusal of access order the period of the refusal of access will be for 3 months.
Section 4.4 of the Paris MOU, Article 21.6 of EU Council Directive 2009/16/EC1, allows access to a specific port and anchorage in case of force majeure or overriding safety considerations, or to limit the risk of pollution or to have deficiencies rectified.
However, the company or the master of the ship must prove that adequate measures have been provided to to ensure a safe entry.
