The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted the resolution “On Amendments to the Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine” initiated by the Ministry of Infrastructure, which allows certain groups of seafarers to travel abroad during martial law.
Today’s decision concerns:
- Cadets (students) who have to undergo practical training on ships;
- Crews of ships involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products during the implementation of the Initiative on safe transportation through the Black Sea;
- A certain category of sailors who work abroad, exclusively on agreement with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Earlier this summer, Russia and Ukraine signed a landmark deal to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, increasing hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by the Russian invasion can be eased.
INTERCARGO welcomed the agreement, but warned that its should only take place if the safety and security of the vessels, their crew and cargo, can be guaranteed.
Safe passage into and out of the ports would be guaranteed in what one official called a “de facto ceasefire” for the ships and facilities covered, they said, although the word “ceasefire” was not in the agreement text.
