Office: +44 203 968 0500
24/7 Emergency Response: +44 7887 710 950
Select Page

Russian blockade of Kerch Strait causing legal problems

Russian blockade of Kerch Strait causing legal problems | BDM Blog | BDM Law

We received new instructions today from a Ukrainian ship owner whose vessel is one of many blocked by Russian authorities at the Kerch Strait. The situation is fluid as there is little in the way of information from the Russian authorities. The UK Club has also released a useful update on their website and you can click here to access it. It’s too early yet to say if the Russian reaction to the recent Ukrainian declaration of martial law will amount to an attempt to permanently block Ukrainian merchant vessels from entering or leaving the Azov Sea via the Kerch Strait. There are also of course implications for foreign ships trading to ports via the Kerch Strait.

In terms of legal issues, this once again raises the thorny issue of force majeure which has been widely discussed in legal circles since the High Court’s ruling in Seadrill v Tullow [2018] EWHC 1640 (Comm) which largely followed the Court of Appeal’s decision in Intradex v Lesieur [1978] 2 Lloyd’s Reports 509. We will shortly be releasing a guide on our website outlining how contracting parties can better protect themselves from these sorts of events by having a properly worded force majeure clause in the contract. All too often we see poorly drafted force majeure clauses and there is of course no legal definition of force majeure under English law.

BDM is a specialist shipping law firm offering high quality legal advice and representation at a reasonable price. Please follow us on social media by clicking below.

Other Recent Blogs

  • BDM supports launch of third edition of Shipping and the Environment | BDM Blog | BDM Law
    March 9, 2023

    BDM supports launch of third edition of Shipping and the Environment

    We were delighted to support Colin, Charles and Jonathan at the launch of the third edition of this weighty tome. Environmental regulation is one of the main challenges faced by shipping and all those engaged in the shipping industry. This book is not just about oil spills. [...]

    Read more >
  • BDM and London P&I attend Six Nations | BDM Blog | BDM Law
    February 15, 2023

    BDM and London P&I attend Six Nations

    David McInnes and Joshua Geesing of BDM Law were pleased to attend the Six Nations match between England and Italy alongside Simon Leslie and Simon Chapman of London P&I Club. BDM Law are committed to the Italian market and continue to service a large number of clients b[...]

    Read more >
  • 2023 and what to expect | BDM Blog | BDM Law
    February 9, 2023

    2023 and what to expect

    It’s difficult to predict what lies ahead but it’s illuminating to revisit what we said at the beginning of 2022. By and large, we were right to say that 2022 would be a strong year for shipping and ship owners. The predicted rise in ship casualties has not quite materia[...]

    Read more >
+44 203 968 0500
+44 7887 710 950