EMEA News
Port Sees Increase in Vessels Being Fined for Understating Bunker Volume on Board
There has been an increase in vessels being fined for understating bunker volumes aboard ships in Nikolaev port in Ukraine, according to marine insurer West of England.
Ukrainian authorities have been conducting bunker quantity checks of residual and distillate fuels as part of "inward clearance formalities" to ensure that the reported amounts of fuel on custom forms is correct.
If found to be in excess of the reported amount, vessels may be detained or fined on charges of smuggling.
West of England said that recent cases have shown ships being fined for reported differences varying from 30 and 140 tonnes, with the fine payments stretching from $50,000 up to $300,000.
The ships are not allowed to sail until the fines have been paid.
The insurance company said that the issue was brought to their notice by Ukraine-based Dias Marine Consulting PC.
Ship operators were also warned to be careful in Ukrainian ports earlier this year during the worst of the tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
