EMEA News
Skuld Warn on Ukraine Calls
Marine insurer Skuld is calling for its members to use caution and, in some cases, keep crews on board, when visiting the Ukraine.
With conflict ongoing in the Crimean region, Skuld says its correspondents suggest having crews stay on board during any call the Port of Kherson or the region of Nikolaev, which are both close to Crimea, and to use care at the Crimean ports of Kerch and Theodosia.
Skuld says other ports including Odessa, Ilyichevsk, Yuzhny, Mariupol, and Berdvansk have not been affected by the unrest, but members should seek up to date information from local agents before calling at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.
"In particular Members need to consider keeping a continuous watch on developments, not least if their planned operations would see the vessel call to / from the Crimea as part of a call at a number of ports of loading or discharging," the insurer said.
Shipping companies have contingency plans in place to move to different ports or evacuate crews if the situation in the region worsens, the Wall Street Journal reports.
"We are working on plans as we speak, looking at alternate ports and evacuation plans," said one senior official with a European dry-bulk company.
"But we are not there yet. It's just a precaution."
The area has not been declared a conflict zone, which could result in a jump in insurance premiums, P&I members said.
