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Shipping industry calls for help to evacuate the 300+ seafarers still trapped in Ukraine ports
Published: 20 February 2023
Joint open letter to His Excellency António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, on seafarers still trapped in Ukraine.
Your Excellency Secretary-General Guterres,
As we approach one year since the start of the war in Ukraine, the co-signatories of this letter write to you to highlight the 331 seafarers still trapped on vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. We call on the United Nations, and on your diplomatic influence, to address this matter urgently and evacuate all remaining seafarers and ships.
Our seafarers are the heart of our industry and cannot be forgotten. For 12 months now they have been caught up in a crisis far beyond their control. Simply doing their jobs cannot come at the expense of their lives.
We recognise and celebrate the United Nations, and your leadership, for the Black Sea Grain Initiative that the UN successfully brokered with Türkiye between Ukraine and Russia. This has allowed safe passage of critical grain and fertiliser shipments from Ukraine to populations most in need, and curbed food prices from spiralling out of control. We are committed to supporting the continued success of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, however this cannot come at the expense of innocent seafarers’ lives. Action must be taken now.
Without our seafarers, movement of the vital grain shipments out of Ukrainian ports would not have been possible. While there are challenges to evacuating seafarers and their ships, it must nonetheless be a top priority. Otherwise, we risk the lives of our seafarers, and this is unacceptable.
Yours faithfully,
Please kindly see below the full list of signatories to the letter.
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Armateurs de France Mr. Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, Chairman
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Bahamas Shipowners Association Mr. John Adams, Chairman
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BIMCO Mr. David Loosley, Secretary General & CEO
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CONFIRTAMA – ITALIAN SHIPOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Mr. Mario Mattioli, President of Italian Shipowners’ Association
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Cyprus Shipping Chamber Mr. Thomas A. Kazakos, Director General
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Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha Mr. Masaharu Kurosawa, Representative Director, President Executive Officer
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Danish Shipping Anne H. Steffensen, Director General and CEO
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European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) Mr. Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General
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FONASBA Mr. Jonathan C. Williams FICS, General Manager
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IINO KAIUN KAISHA, LTD. (IINO LINES） Mr. Hiromi Tosha, President and Representative Director
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INTERCARGO Dr. Kostas G. Gkonis, CEO
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InterManager Capt. Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General
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International Chamber of Shipping Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman
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International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) Mr. Jason Zuidema, General Secretary
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International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations (IFSMA) Mr. Jim Scorer, Secretary General
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International Maritime Employers’ Council Ltd. (IMEC) Mr. Francesco Gargiulo, Chief Executive Officer
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International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) Dr. Robert Verbist, President
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International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA) Mr. Mike Beviss, General Manager |
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International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) Mr. Lars Lange – Secretary General
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INTERTANKO Dr Phillip Belcher, Marine Director
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Japanese Shipowners’ Association Mr. Junichiro Ikeda, President
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Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) Mr. Yukikazu Myochin, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Mr. Takeshi Hashimoto, Representative Director, President, Chief Executive Officer
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Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) Mr. Hitoshi Nagasawa, President, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
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RightShip Mr. Steen Lund, CEO
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Sailors’ Society Ms. Sara Baade, CEO
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Seafarers Hospital Society Ms. Sandra Welch, CEO
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Stella Maris Mr. Martin Foley, Chief Executive Officer
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Synergy Denmark A/S Mr. Tommy Thomassen (COO)
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The Mission to Seafarers Mr. Andrew Wright, Secretary General
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The Seafarers' Charity Ms. Deborah Layde, Chief Executive
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UK Chamber of Shipping Ms. Sarah Treseder, CEO
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UNION OF GREEK SHIPOWNERS Ms. Melina Travlos, President
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Verband Deutscher Reeder (VDR) Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President
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CC: His Excellency Kitack Lim
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization
4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SR
United Kingdom
CC: His Excellency Gilbert F. Houngbo
Director-General of the International Labour Organization
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211
Genève 22
Switzerland
International Chamber of Shipping
7th Floor
Walsingham House
35 Seething Lane
London EC3N 4AH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7090 1460
