Georgia is located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, and on its more than 300 kilometers of coastline, there are four main seaports, namely Batumi, Poti, Kulevi and Supsa. These ports are the most convenient access to the Caspian Sea and Central Asian oil and gas to Europe, making Georgia a necessary place in the modern Eurasian transport corridor. In order to ensure the strategic operation and sustainable development of its ports, the Georgian port authorities have successively set up a separate navigation system in Batumi ports, Poti ports and Kulevi in recent years, and strictly cracked down on ship pollution violations. Therefore, with the help of the Georgian Front Communication Safety Circular, the Association also reminds member ships planning to go to or berth and operate in Georgian waters or ports to pay special attention to the relevant regulations on navigation safety and pollution prevention in Georgia.
1. Georgian port lane navigation system
The inbound and outbound navigation system of the ports of Batumi, Poti and Kulevi in Georgia is controlled by the Georgian Traffic Control Center (VTS). In addition, there are environmental protection areas on the north and south sides of the Kulevi port. Georgia is a member of the International Maritime Organization and a party to the 1972 Convention on the International Rules of Collision Avoidance at Sea, and as a State party to the Convention, the Georgian authorities strictly enforce the rules of port navigation and pay close attention to the dynamics of vessels operating within the divergent navigation system. When using the Georgian port diversion system, in addition to complying with the relevant requirements of the 1972 Convention on the Rules of Collision Avoidance at Sea mentioned above, special attention should be paid to the fact that if the vessel swerves abnormally in the channel without permission or the vessel position touches the divider, the Georgian authorities will directly intervene and warn the vessel.
2. Penalties for violating the navigation separation system
If a ship violates the rules of navigation under the Georgian port diversion system, the Georgian Traffic Control Center (VTS) and the Coast Guard will warn the ship and order the ship to sail to the anchorage for investigation. After the investigation, the captain will be taken to shore for fact-checking and informed of the penalty verdict, which is generally a fine penalty, which is calculated in the local Georgian currency lari (GEL), 1 lari is about 2.7 yuan, and the fine amount will be determined according to the gross tonnage of the ship (as shown in the table below). The Georgian authorities do not accept any form of guarantee and payment commitment, and only if the fine is paid to the account designated by the authorities, the ship will be released and allowed to sail, and the owner and crew will no longer be held legally responsible.
| Gross Tonnage of Ships (GT) | Penalty Amount (GEL Larry) |
| 100 gross tons and below | 500 GEL |
| 100-300 gross tons | 2000 GEL |
| 300-500 gross tons | 5000 GEL |
| 500-3000 gross tons | 10000 GEL |
| 3000-5000 gross tons | 15000 GEL |
| 5000-8000 gross tons | 20000 GEL |
| 8000-10000 gross tons | 30000 GEL |
| 10,000 gross tons and above | 50000 GEL |
| Activities such as exploitation and exploration are carried out without permission within the continental shelf or special economic zones | 75000 GEL |
3. Ships abide by the safety recommendations for separate navigation
Before arriving at the port, the vessel should first review the inbound voyage plan again, and contact the local port agent to confirm the port’s requirements for the diversion system.
(1) Comply with the relevant requirements of the 1972 International Maritime Collision Avoidance Rules, including but not limited to Article 10 of the Navigation Diversion System.
(2) The ship’s voyage plan should reflect the content of complying with the lane separation rules to remind the captain and driver.
(3) During the navigation of the diversion, do not turn at a large angle at will, and keep the side line of the diversion navigation clear.
(4) If the vessel is making emergency steering or crossing the divergent lane, please obtain permission from VTS in advance.
(5) The vessel shall maintain proper radio duty, respond to VTS calls at all times and follow VTS’s navigation instructions.
4. Rules for the separate navigation system
According to the 1972 International Maritime Collision Avoidance Rules, Article 10 of the Driving and Navigation Rules of Chapter II, merchant ships generally involve the following provisions when using the diversion system:
Ships using the separate navigation system area shall follow the general flow of the ships in the corresponding navigation lane. and allow navigation dividers or dividers to be opened as much as possible; Normally enter or exit at the end of the navigable diversion, but when entering or exiting from either side of the diversion, it should form the smallest possible angle to the general flow direction of the vessel in the divergence.
Ships should avoid crossing the navigation lane as much as possible, but if they have to cross, they should cross in the bow direction at right angles to the general flow direction of the ship in the diverging lane as much as possible.
When the ship can safely use the corresponding navigation diversion in the adjacent navigation diversion system, the coastal navigation zone should not be used.
The coastal navigation zone may be used when a vessel arrives at a port, nearshore facility or building, pilot station or any other place located in the coastal navigation zone or when it is necessary to avoid imminent danger.
Except for ships crossing ships or vessels entering or exiting navigational diversions, vessels should generally not enter or cross dividers except to avoid imminent danger in an emergency; Or engage in fishing within the divider.
Ships should be particularly cautious when driving near the end of the diversion navigation system; Anchoring should be avoided as much as possible in or near the end of the diversion navigation system.
Ships that do not use the separate navigation system area should stay away from the area as far as possible.
5. Penalties for maritime pollution in Georgia
Georgia is a party to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and according to Georgian law, if a ship has a pollution accident in Georgian ports or territorial waters, the maritime authorities will board the ship for investigation, and the captain and chief engineer will be taken to the coast guard office for questioning and evidence collection. Subsequently, the vessel is tried and punished in court, usually 4-5 days after the pollution occurs. Regardless of the tonnage of the ship, damage to the marine environment (damage to the sea) will be fined 770 GEL; Once pollution at the sea is confirmed, the fine will increase to 65,000 GEL.
6. Suggestions for ship pollution prevention
The most likely situations to cause water pollution during the ship’s port are oil pollution, domestic sewage pollution, dangerous goods pollution, garbage pollution and ballast water pollution. Therefore, during arrival at the port, crew members are reminded to:
(1) Conscientiously implement the refueling and bargeing plan and procedures.
(2) Ensure that the domestic sewage treatment device is working properly, and ensure that the outboard outlet valve is closed and sealed with lead before arriving at the port.
(3) Maintain efficient deck duty and supervise cargo loading and unloading.
(4) Ensure that the deck drain hole is plugged.
(5) Classify and dispose of garbage according to regulations.
(6) Comply with the regulations on ballast water replacement, and ensure the cleanliness of ballast water before discharging it into the port.
