Estonia, Bulgaria ban Russian ships from ports

As part of sanctions endorsed by the European Union, Russian-flagged ships are not allowed to enter Estonian ports from April 17, 2022.

The relevant statement was made by Estonia's ERR, referring to the Estonian Economic Affairs and Communications Ministry.

This ban will also apply to the vessels that switched their Russian flag to any other state after February 24, 2022.

According to Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Minister Taavi Aas, Europe is rethinking its economic activities and becoming more and more independent from Russia, as "the Kremlin is showing no signs of ending its aggression".

Exceptions will be made only for Russian-flagged ships in distress. They will be allowed to enter Estonian ports with the permission of the Police and Border Guard Department, which will determine the need for assistance in advance.

Earlier, Bulgaria also banned Russian-flagged ships from entering its sea and river ports.

"From 00:00 (midnight), April 16, 2022, all vessels registered under Russian flag, as well as all vessels that have switched their Russian flag, or flag or maritime register registration to any other state whatsoever after February 24, 2022, are forbidden access to Bulgarian maritime and river ports," Bulgaria's Maritime Administration announced.

A reminder that Italy, Belgium and Romania also banned Russian ships from entering their ports as part of expanded EU sanctions.