INTERCARGO is calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO), member states and governments to engage effectively with the involved countries and local authorities to ensure safe passage out of danger for ships and their crews.
The vast majority of ships trapped off Ukraine are bulkers carrying essential grain cargoes, such as wheat and corn, and strategic coal cargoes required to meet energy needs.
Dry bulk owners put extensive efforts into the safety of their crews and their vessels, but authorities should provide:
- A safe maritime corridor to enable ships to sail out of the area,
- Safe land corridors to get crews back aboard the ships that need to sail away.
INTERCARGO along with industry partners have cosponsored a paper submission to IMO on how seafarers’ safety, security, and welfare have been impacted. Pragmatic and concrete solutions are of outmost importance.
The association is grateful to crew nations, adjacent countries, port states and flag states for their ongoing support. However, more coordination is needed in order to ensure the safety of crews and ships.
INTERCARGO extends its support and sympathy to all members of the shipping community who have been caught up in the terrible conflict in Ukraine.
It is doubly unjust for the seafaring community that this tragedy should come so hard on the heels of the pandemic, a time when the crews were tested to the full and are still only recovering from the hardships endured.
explained INTERCARGO, adding also that a significant proportion of seafarers working on board bulk carriers are personally affected by the current circumstances.
INTERCARGO is working closely with its members and other industry bodies to support all those affected by the current dreadful situation.
