Shipping industry call for help to evacuate the 300+ seafarers still trapped in Ukraine Ports

As we approach one year since the start of the war in Ukraine, the co-signatories of this letter write to you to highlight the 331 seafarers still trapped on vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. We call on the United Nations, and on your diplomatic influence, to address this matter urgently and evacuate all remaining seafarers and ships.

Our seafarers are the heart of our industry and cannot be forgotten. For 12 months now they have been caught up in a crisis far beyond their control. Simply doing their jobs cannot come at the expense of their lives.

We recognise and celebrate the United Nations, and your leadership, for the Black Sea Grain Initiative that the UN successfully brokered with Türkiye between Ukraine and Russia. This has allowed the safe passage of critical grain and fertiliser shipments from Ukraine to populations most in need, and curbed food prices from spiralling out of control.

We are committed to supporting the continued success of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, however this cannot come at the expense of innocent seafarers’ lives. Action must be taken now. Without our seafarers, movement of the vital grain shipments out of Ukrainian ports would not have been possible. While there are challenges to evacuating seafarers and their ships, it must nonetheless be a top priority. Otherwise, we risk the lives of our seafarers, and this is unacceptable.

Please kindly see below the full list of signatories to the letter.

Bahamas Shipowners Association; John Adams, BSA Chairman; BIMCO,
David Loosley, Secretary General & CEO; CONFIRTAMA – ITALIAN SHIPOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, Mario Mattioli, President of
Italian Shipowners’ Association ;CYPRUS SHIPPING CHAMBER, Thomas A. Kazakos, Director General Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha, Masaharu Kurosawa, Representative Director, President Executive Officer; ECSA, Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General ;FONASBA Jonathan C. Williams Fics, General Manager IFSMA – International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations, Jim Scorer, Secretary General ;IINO KAIUN KAISHA, LTD.（IINO LINES) Hiromi Tosha, President and Representative Director, INTERCARGO, Dr. Kostas G. GKONIS, CEO ;InterManager, Capt. Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General International Chamber of Shipping, Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), Jason Zuidema, Executive Director International Maritime Employers’ Council Ltd. (IMEC), Francesco Gargiulo, Chief Executive Officer International Maritime Health Association (IMHA), Dr. Robert Verbist, President INTERTANKO, Dr. Phillip Belcher, Marine Director IPTA – INTERNATIONAL PARCEL TANKERS ASSOCIATION, Mike Beviss, General Manager IUMI – International Union of Marine Insurance, Lars Lange, Secretary GeneralJapanese Shipowners’ Association, Junichiro Ikeda, President Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), Yukikazu Myochin, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Mission to Seafarers,
Andrew Wright, Secretary GeneralMitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Takeshi Hashimoto, Representative Director, President, Chief Executive Officer Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Hitoshi Nagasawa, President, Representative Director,President and Chief Executive Officer Sailors’ Society, Sara Baade, CEOSeafarers Hospital Society, Sandra Welch, CEO Seafarers’  Charity, Deborah Layde, Chief Executive; Stella Maris,
Martin Foley, Chief Executive Officer/European Regional Coordinator Synergy Denmark A/S, Tommy Thomassen, COO UK Chamber of Shipping,
Sarah Treseder, CEO Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlos, President; VDR – Verband Deutscher Reeder, Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President & Dr. Martin Kröger, CEO.