Georgian Maritime Transport Agency refutes claims of sanctioned vessel at Kulevi Maritime Port

Georgia’s Maritime Transport Agency on Tuesday stated that the Panama-flagged vessel KAYSERI (IMO 9292199), which entered the Kulevi Maritime Port on October 6-7, was not subject to international sanctions and is not affiliated with any sanctioned entities.

The Maritime Transport Agency explained that the vessel’s cargo was unloaded into a temporary customs storage facility for additional customs control procedures.

“In light of this, the cargo was unloaded into a temporary customs storage warehouse for further customs control procedures”, the statement said.

The Agency further noted that the operation was being conducted in full accordance with Georgian legislation, international maritime regulations, and all applicable sanctions regimes.

“The vessel operates on international routes, including ports in Asia and the Middle East, and its activities fully comply with international maritime practices and trade regulations. The Georgian Maritime Transport Agency reaffirms that the entry of vessels into all Georgian ports is strictly controlled in full compliance with international law and national legislation”, the statement noted.

The Maritime Transport Agency underlined that Georgia’s ports were not being used by any country to circumvent international sanctions.

“Georgia’s ports are not used, including by third countries, to evade sanctions. The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance and the Georgian Maritime Transport Agency, in a coordinated and continuous manner, conduct checks on both vessels and their owners in relation to international sanctions. If a vessel or its owner is on a sanctions list, they are not granted permission to enter Georgian ports or conduct customs procedures”, the statement concluded.