Bureau Veritas now claims that it has downsized its Russia business while Italy’s Rina will continue to provide services to existing clients

Containerships are either reducing, or dropping, services to St Petersburg and Vladivostok, vessels begin transiting the Kerch Strait for the firtst time since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and marine fuel prices edge towards $1,000 per tonne

Trade relations may soon come to resemble those of the Cold War we all thought we had left behind long ago. The last time the world can remember similar was when Lennon and McCartney were in vogue

Ships have been hit, seafarers have been killed and injured and crews of all nationalities are trapped as a result of the war in Ukraine. The impact of Russia’s invasion is likely to spark a crewing crisis with a lasting impact on global supply chains. International Chamber of Shipping secretary General Guy Platten joins the podcast this week to analyse the latest developments

Russia’s expulsion from the International Association of Classification Societies will likely hasten the removal of Russian shipowners from other IACS class societies and further isolate their ability to trade internationally 

Classification societies had been holding off from withdrawing class from Russian controlled vessels, but with Lloyd’s Register the first to pull out and DNV following suit, pressure is mounting on the rest of IACS societies to take a position. An exodus of class services could leave thousands of vessels unclassed, uninsured or moving services swiftly back to Russia