IAPH statement on the current situation facing Ukrainian ports

Missile attacks gravely undermine efforts by Ukrainian seaports to prepare resumption of maritime traffic

The Ukrainian port of Odesa

Missile attacks gravely undermine efforts by Ukrainian seaports to prepare resumption of maritime traffic

IAPH welcomes the international agreement reached last Friday to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor which should enable ships to export essential cargoes of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian seaports. These products are critical in terms of addressing the global food crisis and alleviating the suffering of millions of people around the world.

IAPH commends Ukrainian port workers, represented through the Maritime Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, who are making every effort to prepare the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for the resumption of maritime traffic under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

The missile attacks which struck the port of Odesa less than 24 hours after the signature of the international agreement gravely undermine these efforts and seriously jeopardise the reliability of such an accord.

The terms of Friday’s agreement determines that the Russian Federation should not undertake any attacks against port facilities and merchant vessels engaged in the export of critical cargoes.

The safety and security of all port workers and seafarers who enable maritime traffic from Ukrainian seaports should be absolutely guaranteed if the agreement is to achieve results within the planned deadline.

IAPH and The Seafarers’ Charity appeal to the maritime industry to support Ukrainian port workers

The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has been working to support port workers and their families impacted by the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine. This emergency appeal is being coordinated by IAPH and The Seafarers’ Charity. Funds raised are being distributed to appropriate delivery partners operating in Ukraine including the Maritime Transport Workers Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU) and its welfare fund Mortrans.

Call by Ukrainian Seaports Authority for applications to join cargo convoys

The Ukrainian Seaports Authority have in the meantime issued a communique advising that preparations are being made at the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for cargo operations, requesting applications for the inclusion of those vessels which will be led by convoy to and from these ports.

Contact for the statement: Victor Shieh, IAPH Communications Director

Email : victor.shieh@iaphworldports.org

Tel : +32 473 980 855

About IAPH

Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has developed into a global alliance of 166 port authorities, including many of the world’s largest port operators as well as 130 port-related businesses. Comprised of 87 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle approximately one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. With its NGO consultative status recognized by the IMO, ECOSOC, ILO, UNCTAD, UNEP, and WCO, IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonization and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalization in the maritime transport chain. Its World Ports Sustainability Program has grown into the reference database of best practices of ports applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrating them into their businesses.

Photo 120681105 / Odesa Port © Zyoma1986 | Dreamstime.com