Because of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the latter’s Ministry of Infrastructure ordered to shut down the seaports of Mariupol, Kherson, Berdiansk, and Skadovsk until Ukraine regains control over them.
More specifically, local media report that from the date of official publication, the ports of Skadovsk, Kherson, Berdiansk, and Mariupol will be closed till Ukraine once again resumes control over its seaports.
Such a decision was made due to the incapability to service passengers and vessels and to establish adequate levels of safety of navigation along with environment protection during Russian military operations that threaten human health and lives.
The operation at seaports will restart after Ukraine achieves victory over Russia’s occupiers
the statement reads.
Currently, just under 500 seafarers remain sheltered awaiting evacuation onboard 109 ships at Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, down from 2,000 six weeks ago.
What is more, the IMO adopted a resolution on actions to facilitate the urgent evacuation of seafarers, while U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres yesterday called for an escape route from the Mariupol ‘apocalypse’.
ICS is urging the preservation of humanitarian corridors, until all remaining seafarers have been safely evacuated. The remaining 500 seafarers account for skeleton crews who remained on board to allow their fellow crew mates to be evacuated.
