Georgian ports are becoming too risky to call

Georgian authorities detained Ukrainian general cargo vessel Volgo-Balt 203 in Poti, Georgia, for an alleged oil spill, claiming there was a hydraulic oil spill from the vessel in port area, reported local media on April 30. As usual, no details are given – when exactly did it happen, under what circumstances, and what amount of oil actually leaked overboard. Master of the vessel is sentenced to a fine of some $45,000. Reports of vessels detained in Georgian ports for either pollution or violation of border law are second after weather forecasts in frequency and regularity, one may have an impression vessels entering Georgian ports do it with the sole purpose of dumping some waste in there. Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania ports are most notorious in the Black sea region for their corruption and the risk for the vessel to be fined under any pretext, Georgia definitely followed the trend and may soon lead the pack in a chase for extra easy money.
General cargo vessel Volgo-Balt 203 IMO 8841620, dwt 3498, built 1977, flag Cambodia, manager RICHMAR LOGISTIC and CHARTERING, Odessa, Ukraine.