Technical Circular No: 035/2022
Download PDF1. On 25th March 2022, the Russian Federation announced establishment of a ‘blue safe maritime corridor’ to be used for the humanitarian evacuation of commercial vessels and seafarers stuck at Ukrainian ports from the Odessa region out into the Black Sea.
2. Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administration, vide Ship Security Advisory No. 02-22 (Rev.8) has informed that:
a) The above establishment of a ‘blue safe maritime corridor’ is a unilateral initiative by Russia which has not yet been agreed to by the Ukrainian government.
b) All Ukrainian ports currently remain closed, and no arrivals/departures are permitted.
c) The approaches to Ukrainian ports currently present a high risk due to the recent laying of floating mines; and
d) There is no assurance of safety for ships using ‘blue safe maritime corridor’.
Accordingly, the Administration has advised RMI-registered vessels to avoid use of the Russian corridor at this time.
3. Further, in view of the increased naval activity within the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, RMI Administration requires, with immediate effect;
a) Setting of Ship Security Level III (or equivalent security measures) for all RMI flagged vessels operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Ukraine.
b) Setting of SHIP SECURITY LEVEL II (or equivalent security measures) for RMI flagged vessels in the Black Sea EEZ of Russia. Commercial vessels should not attempt to enter the Sea of Azov or the Northwest Black Sea north of 45° 21’ since access will be denied by Russian military forces. This advisory is subject to change as the dynamic situation progresses.
c) Ships intending to call at a port/port facility in the areas depicted below must ensure that security measures equivalent to Ship Security Level II or III are implemented as per the Ship Security Plan. If cargo operations at Russian ports in the Black Sea are necessary, a Declaration of Security should first be carried out with the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO).
d) Ships currently located at Ukrainian ports must remain in place until permission to depart is granted by the Ukrainian military. Security measures equivalent to Security Level III must be implemented while held at port. Lights should be switched off at night or kept to a bare minimum. Masters should assess whether to switch AIS off due to imminent security threat while stuck alongside or within Ukrainian port limits. This may help mitigate the risk of unintentional GPS-guided targeting by military forces.
4. Further, the Administration has provided following guidance/ information for owners/ managers and masters of RMI flagged vessels in this regard:
a) Commercial vessels are advised to avoid any transit or operation within the EEZ of Ukraine or Russia within the Black Sea. Access to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait is currently blocked by Russian forces.
b) All Ukrainian ports have been closed by the Ukrainian military. Commercial ships may not enter or leave port at this time.
c) Access to the northwest Black Sea is restricted by the Russian Navy. Transit in this area should not be attempted.
d) Commercial operations within the EEZ of Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania are currently unaffected by the conflict.
e) Vessels should ensure the automatic identification system (AIS) is always transmitting (except when the master believes that continuing to operate AIS might compromise the safety or security of the ship or when a security incident is imminent), consistent with provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and monitor VHF.
f) Any vessels hailed by military vessels should comply fully with instructions.
g) Armed security personnel are not to be embarked while operating in the Black Sea. Whilst the utmost care has been taken in the compilation of the Technical Information, neither Indian Register of Shipping, its affiliates and subsidiaries if any, nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents assume any responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused in any manner whatsoever by reliance on the information in this document.
5. In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, RMI-flagged vessels should immediately notify the Administrator, the NATO Shipping Center (NSC) and activate the Ship Security Alert System.
6. Suspected or confirmed cyber or electronic interference incidents must be reported to the Administrator and the NSC.
7. Owners/ managers and masters of RMI flagged vessels are advised to take note of the above requirements and ensure compliance.
8. This Technical Circular supersedes and revokes earlier Technical Circular No. 028/2022, dated 07 April 2022.
Enclosure:
Disclaimer:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.