The Turkish government has issued a decision prohibiting ships arriving from or calling at Crimea and its ports from visiting a Turkish port, GAC said. 

Turkish ports, marine agents, operators and shipowners have been informed that ships arriving from Crimea and its ports are not allowed to enter the country. No permit will be given if a ship is calling/has called at these ports.

Such vessels will not be allowed to get customs clearance or perform discharging/loading operation in any Turkish port, according to GAC.

Further, authorities have the right to request last port clearance via agents, log book copies AIS, VDR records and any tracking systems to clarify the last port of call of a vessel.

This sanction is not limited to vessels and is also applicable to cargoes or any commercial activity showing Crimea or Crimea-related information on the documentation – custom documents, commercial papers etc.

What is more, with the Turkish embargo still in force, shipowners and ship managers may face difficulties if there is any connection of their vessels with Cyprus.

In addition, regardless of flag, all vessels with cargo bound for or coming from South Cyprus are not accepted at the country’s ports.