Ukraine has recommended reducing the number of ship’s crew for vessels currently located in the ports of Ukraine to the minimal safe number to keep vessels operational and the evacuation of seafarers via humanitarian corridors to neighbouring countries.
According to IMO, Ukraine informed of certain recommendations for crew to leaving vessels, located in ports of Ukraine in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, currently closed because of the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Namely, because of the military actions on the territory of Ukraine it is recommended that the vessels crew be reduced to the minimal safe number of crew needed to keep the vessel operational.
In addition, seafarers should proceed in an organized manner to the borders of Ukraine to leave the country through safe corridors. Organization of transportation of the crew members and changing of the crew should be done by the agents, who will communicate with local military administrations. For Ukrainian ports of Yuzhniy, Chornomorsk and Odessa the safest directions are to the borders of Moldova and Romania.
Furthermore, crew members of vessels located in other ports of Ukraine should follow the safest humanitarian corridors depending on conditions in those regions.
Finally, recommended countries for departure are:
- Romania
- Poland
- Moldova
- Slovakia
- Hungary.
Recently, the IMO Extraordinary Council Session took place to discuss the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, with the IMO making certain decisions.
IMO agreed to encourage the establishment of a blue safe maritime corridor to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships from the high-risk and affected areas in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to a safe place in order to protect the life of seafarers, ensure the mobilization and commercial navigation of vessels intending to use this corridor by avoiding military attacks and protecting and securing the maritime domain.
