Evacuate nearly 500 seafarers trapped in Ukrainian ports as soon as possible
On 3 May, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) passed a resolution on actions to facilitate emergency evacuation of seafarers.
Three-quarters of the seafarers previously stranded in Ukrainian ports have been evacuated from stranded ships, according to the latest data compiled jointly by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the IMO.
Less than 500 seafarers are still awaiting evacuation on 109 ships in Ukrainian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, the ICS said. Six weeks ago, the number was 2,000.
The data showed that the seafarers who were evacuated and those who remained on board were from 27 different countries, with the Philippines and India having the most seafarers. Other affected seafarers are from countries including Ukraine, Russia, China, Denmark, Greece and Turkey.
It is reported that ICS is urging the establishment of humanitarian corridors for seafarers stranded in Ukraine and adjacent waters until all seafarers have been safely evacuated. So far, 1,500 seafarers have been safely evacuated through humanitarian corridors on land and at sea.
The International Labour Organization (ILO), IMO, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and humanitarian organisations have coordinated the delivery of food, water and medicine to seafarers stranded in ports. Still, delivering aid is extremely difficult, especially in high-risk areas.
Natalie Shaw, director of labor affairs at ICS, said: “We will continue to do everything we can to help the safe evacuation of seafarers who remain trapped. Open dialogue will enable rescue missions, so we call on all parties involved to continue to communicate and cooperate.”