Russian ships will be banned from Belgian ports from Sunday

A playbook is ready for banning Russian ships from Belgian ports, according to the cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister and North Sea Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld, Flemish Liberals). The playbook will be implemented from Sunday, April 17.

The port entry ban applies to ships that have changed their Russian flag or Russian registration to another state after February 24. Any Russian ship that entered the port legally before the sanctions took effect will still be allowed to leave the port. Once the ship has left port, they are not allowed back in unless they can prove that they fall under one of the exceptions.

"There is very close coordination with our Dutch colleagues", Van Quickenborne's cabinet notes. "We are trying to use the same list of sanctioned ships, for example, but it remains the responsibility of each individual member state. We are also in contact with France." Belgian Foreign Affairs, shipping police, Defence, customs and the Mobility and Public Works Department maintain close contact with the ports.

The European sanction rules provide for a number of exceptions whereby Russian ships can still be granted access to a port. For such exceptions, the Maritime Security Centre Belgium (MIK) of the Cell Maritime Security (CMB) has to give its approval on the basis of information provided by the ports. "The ports are responsible for the follow-up", says the cabinet. "The permission given is specific to that ship, to that port, with that cargo and at that time. For every ship that arrives in the port, the permission has to be given again."

There are many exceptions to the European ban, such as the purchase, import or transport of natural gas and oil in the EU. All pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilisers, are also allowed. In addition, access can be granted for humanitarian purposes. The transport of nuclear fuel and other goods strictly necessary for the functioning of the civil nuclear capacity are also eligible, as well as the purchase, import or transport of coal and other solid fossil fuels to the EU until August 10, 2022.

According to De Tijd, Belgium has only denied access to one Russian ship. The Malyi-B, formerly the Lady D, is said to be denied access to the port of Antwerp. The ship sails under a Russian flag and is said to transport luxury cars and tractors. For the time being, some twelve Russian ships on their way to our country are said to be on the radar.

(KOR)

Aerial view on the port of Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS