Russia- Ukraine conflict: Impact on shipping update from North P&I

March 23, 2022

The current situation in Ukraine is fast moving. Dangerous sea areas and changes in the operational status of ports may occur at any time. Updates received from correspondents are published below. You are strongly advised to contact local agents for the latest advice should you have a vessel trading to Ukraine.

The sanctions situation is expected to develop rapidly. A whole range of onerous sanctions against Russian entities has been reported as being in preparation. Our team will report on new sanctions as they are rolled out. Please contact a member of the Sanctions Advice Team for guidance.

Update 23 March 2022

Conflicting reports are in circulation regarding the situation of sea mines in the Black Sea and whether they have become detached from their anchors and are now drifting.

Ambrey Intelligence have shared their understanding of the current situation as follows:

Ambrey are aware of the reported minefield laid by the Ukrainian forces to prevent the threat of Russian amphibious attack.
Ambrey has been informed, by sources in Ukraine, that sea mines were laid not only in the seaports, but also in some of Ukrainian’s internal waters.
There is no official designated sea minefield zone for the internal waters, but the map below shows those designated offshore:

To date, Ambrey has recorded a single event of a suspected mine strike involving a vessel, which occurred 4.8nm outside of the designated minefield area.
Ambrey has received the Russian authorities’ report on drifting mines. There has been no independent verification of these reports or credible reports of sightings, but there remains an underlying threat of physical damage to merchant vessels in the Black Sea region.
There has been a report of sea mine being spotted, however Ambrey was informed that divers were sent, and the object turned out to be a damaged buoy.
There types of mines deployed do not use power sources and therefore they can remain active for some time. In the unlikely event of mine becoming detached, the mine would be subject to sea currents. Additionally, in the case of a significant storm that does detach the mine, it would likely be brought ashore and not drift out to sea.
There is also a possibility that the military activity in the Black Sea may disturb historic mines from previous conflicts and that they may emerge from the sea. Yet, these events also happen on regular basis in peacetime.
Russian forces have closed the Kerch Strait and strictly regulate which vessels are allowed into the Sea of Azov. Ambrey understands that these are mostly Russian-flagged vessels and some vessels of other flags on the grain and oil trade to/from Russia.

Source: North P&I