Headlines
IMO expresses concerns as more seafarers come under attack in Russia- Ukraine war


The move came as fear grows for the safety of seafarers trapped in the region and especially near Odesa, which analysts believe may be the target of an imminent amphibious and land assault.
This week has seen the first merchant ship sunk during the conflict and the first confirmed death of a seafarer killed by a missile attack while he was on watch aboard a ship anchored off Ukraine.
Equally concerning are the thousands of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers away from home working at sea as well as seafarers in the combat zone that will not be able to reach their jobs on ships.
After the Russian assault on Ukraine began on February 24, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said he was “gravely concerned about the spillover effects of the military action in Ukraine on global shipping.”
Then as the humanitarian crisis continued to unfold, Lim issued a statement saying “I fully support and stand with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for hostilities to cease immediately,” but the IMO like the UN can only comment and make resolutions for the safety of seafarers.
The IMO’s session will be held on March 10 and 11 as a remote session.
The council consists of 40 countries elected to represent the global maritime community but other nations including Ukraine will be able to submit statements to the IMO Council.
News of the session comes as an analysis by Bloomberg estimates that there are 140 vessels currently stranded in or near Ukrainian ports.
The German Shipowners’ Association estimated a similar number of around 100 cargo ships unable to depart from their ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Bloomberg calculates each of the large, ocean-going ships has an average of 20 crew members “implying well over 1,000 seafarers would be stuck.”
Estonian officials reported that all the ship’s crew was rescued.
The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), like many global organizations, condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, calling on Russia to protect merchant ships and seafarers.
” Russia must respect the freedom of navigation. Uninvolved merchant vessels must not be attacked.”
Some countries and shipping companies have taken action.
They were making arrangements to take the seafarers to Moldova or another neighboring country and to move them to Romania to repatriate them.
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