
Club correspondents Dias Marine Consulting PC, Odessa have advised that there has been an increase in theĀ number of vessels in Nikolaev port being fined for having more fuel oil on board than stated in the vesselāsĀ customs declaration.
Customs officers have been conducting bunker quantity surveys of residual and distillate fuels as part of inwardĀ clearance formalities to check whether or not the actual amounts of fuel oil are correct. If the figures are foundĀ to exceed the quantities declared, Customs may detain and fine the vessel on the grounds of āsmugglingā.
Recent cases have involved apparent differences of between 30 and 140 tonnes, resulting in fines of betweenĀ USD 50,000 and USD 300,000.Ā Such vessels are not permitted to sail until funds to cover the fine have been transferred to the courtās depositĀ account.
Masters are reminded to follow their local agentās advice concerning the accurate completion of UkrainianĀ customs declarations and to ensure that the declared quantities of fuel oil match the actual amount of fuel oilĀ remaining on board on arrival.
Source: West of England P&I