Sevastopol merchant seaport sued upon Russian defense ministry

15.04.2011 On Apr 22 Moscow Arbitration Court will start proceedings in the action of Ukrainian state enterprise Sevastopol Merchant Seaport against Russian defense ministry.

The subject of a lawsuit is territorial dispute between Sevastopol merchant seaport and Black Sea Fleet (BSF) military unit 87353 over a 0.3-ha land plot at Pavlovsky Cape, Yuzhnaya Bay. The case was transferred to the Moscow court from Sevastopol city court, writes Sobytiya.

In Soviet times the disputable area belonged to the port. There was a sea terminal with a quay for boats. After the breakup of the USSR, the plot was handed over to Russian BSF. At present, the sea port authorities have no access to the land plot, since its one side is occupied by BSF Hospital, and another one – by BSF Arsenal. The port is about to construct new moorage quay for small-size vessels and an administrative building.

Another disputable asset at Pavlovsky Cape is a passenger terminal. At present, passenger vessels arriving in Sevastopol moor at 143rd quay which is 200 meters long and capable to accommodate only one mid-size liner. Larger vessels of international cruise companies need at least 500-meter long quay. In this regard, the port administration turned attention at required 300 meters of quayside which currently belong to Black Sea Fleet. "The place suitable for cruise liners is presently occupied by small antisubmarine ships", said a representative of Sevastopol seaport. In this connection merchant seaport wants naval ships to be transferred to another harbor of Sevastopol.

These wishes go with recommendations given to the seaport leadership by international expert in harbor activities Kenneth Karpinski. Last month he visited the port to analyze its potential under the USAID/LINC program.

The expert says longstanding isolation of Sevastopol related with deployment of Black Sea Fleet is the main problem. The city has not participated in commercialization of shipping services therefore. "Besides, warships occupied significant territory near the museum and use quays. Simultaneously, other Ukraine's ports have been actively developing and achieved great success. Even now those ports are primarily financed by appropriate ministries. But Sevastopol should count on its own resources and look for investors", reports the Sevastopol merchant seaport.