11:19 03.10.2017

Some 30 ships violate ban to visit ports in annexed Crimea in Sept – ministry for occupied areas

2 min read
Some 30 ships violate ban to visit ports in annexed Crimea in Sept – ministry for occupied areas

The Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Ukraine has said that in the period from September 1 through October 1, 2017 a total of 30 cargo ships violated a ban to enter the Ukraine closed ports and terminals in Crimea annexed by Russia.

The press service of the ministry reported on Monday, that 23 ships out of 30 were sailing under the flag of Russia and seven – under flags of other states, in particular, Palau, Sierra-Leone, Togo and Tanzania.

In addition, five ships under flags of Malta, Panama, Tanzania, Togo and Russia stayed in the water areas of ports of Sevastopol, Feodosia and Yalta without calling at the ports' terminals.

In August 2017, a total of 34 cargo ships under flags of Russia, Palau, Sierra-Leone, Togo, Comoro Islands and Tanzania entered ports of the annexed Crimea.

The ministry said that the entry of vessels under foreign flags into closed seaports and terminals located in Crimea and Sevastopol is considered a violation of international law as actions that undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine and also as a violation of Ukrainian legislation, which entails the responsibility of ship owners, operators and ship captains, including prosecution.

Seaports located in Crimea – Yevpatoria, Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia and Yalta – are closed under resolution of the Cabinet of Minister of Ukraine No. 578-r dated April 30, 2014.

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