Ukraine has established new routes for civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea, but the Ukrainian Navy warns of a threat from Russia.
According to the official order of the Navigational Order of the Ukrainian Navy No. 6, new temporary routes for civilian vessels to and from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine were established on August 8, 2023. However, the Ukrainian Navy emphasized that even on these routes, the military threat and the risk of mines from the Russian Federation remain.
Earlier, the routes proposed by Ukraine were approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The organization recognized Ukraine's sovereign right to free trade navigation.
The new routes are primarily aimed at ensuring the safe exit of civilian vessels from the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi.
Only vessels whose owners or captains have officially confirmed their readiness to sail the new routes are allowed to use them under the current conditions.