On 7 September 2011 the Verkhovna Rada (the Parliament) of Ukraine passed the Law ‘On Ukraine’s accession to the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to the Arrest of Sea-Going Ships (Brussels, 1952).
As some other parties to the International Convention (Great Britain, Antigua, Bahamas etc.) Ukraine accedes to the Convention subject to reservation according to which ‘Ukraine reserves the right not to apply the provisions of the Convention in relation to the warships and other state-owned vessels being operated non-commercially’.
Pursuant to the Law the Convention comes into force after six months of the receipt of notification on Ukraine’s accession to the Convention by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Article 15 of the Convention).
As experts consider the adoption of the Law will regulate, in the long run, the legal procedures for the arrest of vessels in Ukrainian ports and will give the possibility to overcome numerous obstacles faced by Ukrainian and foreign carriers in international sea carriages related to cargoes and passengers through Ukrainian ports. Thus, it shall facilitate the development of transport and maritime sectors of Ukraine.
Penned by Alexander Chebotarenko
Senior Lawyer of Interlegal
Chebotarenko@interlegal.com.ua
http://www.interlegal.com.ua/
