Ms Protsenko explains that the authority which carries out the functions of ecological protection and defence in the Ukraine is the State Ecological Inspection, whose jurisdiction covers the protection of the natural environment in and around the Black and Azov Seas.

If inspectors suspect any ship in port is in breach of environmental regulations or suspects any ship-to-sea emissions, then they can board the ship at will and take oil and petrochemical samples. If laboratory tests show the samples taken from the ship match traces of pollutant found in the harbour, inspectors consider it a violation of ecological legislation and can hold the vessel until any investigation is complete.

“Such investigations delay vessels in port. But in consideration of the frequency of marine pollutions it is treated in the Ukraine as a required measure to protect the environment,” says Ms Protsenko.