The UK has passed a regulation that will prohibit all vessels with any connection to Russia from entering its ports.

The ban covers any ships owned or operated by anyone connected to Russia.

With this new law, authorities have gained new powers to detain Russian ships

On Twitter, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’ve just become the first nation to pass a law involving a total ban of all ships with any Russian connection whatsoever from entering British ports.”

The move come after Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon requested Shapps to restrict a Russian-owned oil tanker, NS Champion, from docking in the Orkney Islands.

NS Champion has turned away from the UK this week following the announcement of the UK ban.

According to reports, the vessel is now heading to Denmark with an oil cargo on board.

Meanwhile, European Union countries are also considering a ban on Russian vessels entering the bloc’s ports.

These tightened sea limitations aim to further hinder Russia’s commercial shipments.

Now, the European Parliament will vote on a non-binding resolution calling for EU ports to be shut for Russian vessels, as well as ships coming to or from Russia.

However, this resolution holds an exception for ‘necessary justified humanitarian reasons’.

Similarly, after banning Russian crude oil imports, Canada is set to close its ports to Russian-owned vessels later this week.

Recently, AP Moller-Maersk declared that it will temporarily halt all container shipping to and from Russia in light of the sanctions placed against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.