25.03.2022

Situation ‘dire’ for seafarers in Sea of Azov as supplies dwindle

The ITF described the situation for seafarers stranded on vessels near Ukraine as ‘dire’ as supplies dwindle and rescue efforts are frustrated.

In a briefing call hosted by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the organisations said they were aware of around 140 vessels stuck in the Sea of Azov. Some vessels have only skeleton crews, but in total over 1,000 seafarers of at least 20 nationalities are affected, they said.

“We know of one remaining ship with 20 seafarers on board which has just three days of supplies left and it's unsafe for them to leave the ship or for the ship to sail,” said ICS secretary general Guy Platten. 

“I think the situations is actually very dire, said ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton. “I think we have to recognise there's competition for food depending on which ports you're in and where you are on the coast.”

Both ITF and ICS said they were focused on trying to avoid the worst-case scenario of supplies running out, and that they have had some success in the past getting supplies to vessels when supplies run critically low.

“We hope that's the case this time, but it just shows the jeopardy that we're under on every day that goes past,” said Platten.

The establishment of blue corridors to allow vessels to sail out of the conflict area has proven difficult and dangerous, said Platten. 

“So, for us, this is one of the most frustrating moments. We have everybody in agreement about how to help, but an inability to safely move people,” said Cotton.

He said that the ITF has not heard of any incidents of fallout aboard vessels where Ukrainian and Russian seafarers work together. 

Source seatrade-maritime.com

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