The Ukraine is a key shipping export nation, producing significant quantities of raw materials such as coal, iron ore, sunflower oil and wheat, but also industrial products including steel products as well as manufactured materials including vehicles, aircraft and vessels. Many Skuld members have the Ukraine as a regular port of call, and the association would like to provide the following guidance to assist members complete their voyages successfully. Background During recent years, a large number of cargo operations have been carried out while vessels are at anchorages in the Ukraine, and this has continued to be an increasing trend. In particular, at the Port of Kerch a significant proportion of all cargo operations are carried out at anchorage, and on occasion, even beyond Port limits. There also appears to be an increasing amount of cargo operations carried out at anchorages at Odessa, Yuzhny and other Ukrainian ports. Often such cargo operations are performed by means of floating cranes and cargo is delivered to the anchorage by barge and then loaded on the vessel by grabs. This can be advantageous as it can make the ship's call less expensive because she will not incur mandatory port charges, which are incurred when cargo operations are conducted inside the port. While there may be perceived economic advantages, the association has often dealt with cases where issues arise with cargoes being laden at anchorage. When these issues cannot be easily resolved, a subsequent discharge of part of the cargo or even a call into the port can ultimately became necessary. Concerns for carrying on Cargo Operations at Anchorage Attending surveyors for member's vessels have found that during loading at anchorage of grain cargoes, iron ore concentrate cargoes, and other similar bulk cargoes, cargo quality problems have arisen on occasion. In particular, cargo has been found to be contaminated by foreign matter, admixtures, pieces of rags, foam, timber, or even large pieces of