IMO adopts resolution on evacuation of seafarers from Ukraine

Following up on the extraordinary IMO Council meeting in March 2022, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which met 20-29 April 2022, adopted Resolution MSC.495(105) Actions to facilitate the urgent evacuation of seafarers from the war zone area in and around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as a result of the Russian Federation aggression against Ukraine, with an overwhelming majority of members supporting the adoption.

The resolution calls for humanitarian support to seafarers stranded in Ukrainian ports and their safe and expeditious evacuation.

It was reported that at the beginning of the conflict 96 vessels from 26 flag states with 1000 seafarers on board had been locked in Ukrainian ports. This had now reduced to 80 vessels from 24 flag states with about 450 seafarers on board, but with reports of damaged, sunk and commandeered ships.

Member States are asked to raise concerns regarding the collateral impact of the Russian Federation aggression against Ukraine on seafarers, port workers, safety and security of navigation, global supply chains and food security.

RELEVANT DOCUMENT (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

MSC.495(105) - Actions to Facilitate the Urgent Evacuation of Seafarers From the War Zone Area in and Around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as a Result of the Russian Federation Aggression Against Ukraine