On Thursday, Turkey imposed an additional requirement on tankers with crude oil cargo to pass through the Turkish straits. The announcement was made in a circular by Director of the Republic's General Directorate of Maritime Affairs Unal Baylan, which became available to TASS.
From December 1, Ankara will start demanding a letter from insurance companies confirming the provision of P&I insurance required to cover its liability in cases such as damage to third parties, the environment or cargo, as well as fines and penalties associated with them during the operation of its vessels.
In this regard, the Turkish authorities require a letter from the insurance company to be attached to the navigation plan report stating the details of the vessel, cargo and passage and that the P&I insurance will be valid and complete for the vessel, passage and cargo.
Deputy Transport Minister Alexander Poshivay said on November 29 that Turkey would recognize the insurance certificate of Russian companies for maritime traffic.
According to the Turkish media, difficulties may arise because insurance companies may refuse to issue such letters because of the oil pollution liability insurance (CLC) certificate from oil tankers. This is because Turkey officially acceded to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC 1992) in 2001, which provides for civil liability of ship owners for pollution and seeks to provide compensation for this damage. Insurance companies see no need to provide a P&I insurance endorsement letter if they have a CLC certificate.
In May, the UK and the EU agreed a coordinated ban on insurance for vessels carrying Russian oil.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS