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.