Entering a Russian port may pose challenges due to the unspecified timeline for underwater inspections and the possibility of port call rejections even when no suspicious objects are found.
Due to a number of incidents where vessels calling Russian ports have suffered from proximity mines, as of November 25, 2025 Russia has adopted new rules for vessels from foreign ports to call at Russian ports.
Under these rules, the Russian harbor master may:
- issue permission for a port call;
- decline it; or
- instruct the vessel to undergo an underwater inspection for explosives or other suspicious objects.
This process may take up to 53 hours, excluding the time required for the underwater inspection. However, even if no dangerous objects are found during the inspection, the harbor master may still decline the port call.
Timeline and steps to enter a Russian port
Under Presidential Decree No. 502 dated July 21, 2025, calls to Russian seaports by vessels from foreign ports require permission from the harbor master, which should be approved by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). These rules were further specified by the Russian Government in Resolution No. 1867 dated November 25, 2025 (Rules).
In accordance with Rules, the procedure and timeline to be followed by Russian harbor masters and the FSB after receiving a port call from a vessel coming from a foreign port are as follows:
Initial notification (1 hour)
Upon receiving information about a vessel’s call, the harbor master informs the FSB, providing details about the last 10 ports the vessel has called at.
FSB approval (49 hours)
The FSB informs the harbor master whether they:
- approve the call and allow entrance;
- decline the call and forbid entrance; or
- decide to conduct an underwater inspection of the vessel.
Underwater inspection (duration not specified)
An underwater inspection is mandatory if instructed by the FSB and is conducted at the vessel’s expense. The duration of the inspection (and its price) is not defined in the Rules and can vary depending on the port’s workload.
The inspection may be conducted by private persons with the necessary divers and equipment, but the specific person charged with the inspection must be chosen by the terminal.
If explosives or unidentified suspicious objects are found during the inspection, the harbor master immediately contacts the Russian Armed Forces to conduct additional inspections and remove or neutralize the suspicious objects.
Final decision (within 3 hours after inspection)
If no suspicious objects or explosives are found during the underwater inspection (i.e., the Russian Armed Forces were not involved), the FSB will either:
- approve the call and allow entrance; or
- decline the call and forbid entrance.