Kyiv opened the registration of vessels for passage through temporary corridors in the Black Sea

Registration of merchant ships is open, which are ready to pass on temporary routes to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, shipowners and captains have been warned of a possible danger, said the speaker of the naval forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Dmitry Pletenchuk.

August 10 Ukrainian Navy announced on temporary corridors in the Black Sea for merchant ships going from or to the ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. Pletenchuk said that the mine threat in the Black Sea remains at a high level, in addition, there is a “danger of opposition from the Russian fleet.”

“We are doing everything possible that depends on us to ensure security. And now registration is already open, the coordinator is already working,” he said (quoted from UNN).

Pletenchuk did not specify how many vessels have already been registered. The decision should fulfill two objectives: “overcoming the international humanitarian crisis on food security in the world” and “the opportunity for shipowners and companies to take back their merchant ships.”

On July 19, the Ministry of Defense declared all ships going to Ukrainian ports as potential military targets. The decision was justified by the termination of the “Black Sea Initiative” and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor. The agency stated that all ships sailing in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. The Ministry of Defense also noted that the state under the flag of which the ship is heading to the Ukrainian port will be considered involved in the conflict and supporting Ukraine.