The registration of merchant ships and shipowners willing to travel through the temporary routes announced by Ukraine has begun.
The Ukrainian Navy’s spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports, citing the Ukrinform news agency.
"A decision has been made to finally solve this problem in the following way: to open these maritime routes. Shipowners and ship captains have been warned of the danger. In addition to the fact that there is always the danger of counteraction by the Russian fleet, the danger of mines remains high. Therefore, everything will take place under the supervision of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We are doing everything we can to ensure safety. Registration has now begun, and the coordinator is working," Pletenchuk said.
According to him, the decision has two objectives: to overcome the international humanitarian crisis and give "shipowners and companies an opportunity to finally pick up their merchant ships, which are essentially in humanitarian captivity because of the constant maritime threats from the Russians."
"Not only do they say that these ships will be considered potential carriers of military cargo, but it was also heard during one of the maritime negotiations that their flag countries will be considered parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side. Therefore, it is terrorism on the radio as of now and, accordingly, it is also a violation of international law and the law of the sea regarding freedom of navigation," the Ukrainian Navy spokesperson said.
Commenting on the number of ships and shipowners that have already registered, Pletenchuk said, "We cannot yet disclose all the details of this event."
He added that the dates for the passage of ships through the temporary corridors have not yet been set.
"The dates have not yet been set. In fact, the state in which all this works, unfortunately, also depends on the events that are taking place in the Black Sea, because all this is much wider, easier, and safer in a normal situation," he said.
