In a statement, the London-based International Maritime Chamber of Commerce called for seafarers not to “pay for actions that governments or others might take,” noting that they were “on the front lines in responding to the pandemic by ensuring that essential supplies of food, fuel and medicine reach the country.” destinations”.
Russians and Ukrainians made up 14.5 percent of the global shipping workforce in 2021, with 198,823 Russian seafarers and 76,442 Ukrainian seafarers.
“The safety of our seafarers is our absolute priority,” Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Maritime Trade, said in the statement.
“We hope that all parties will continue to facilitate the free movement of goods and these essential workers for the time being,” Platten was quoted by AFP as saying.
Sea freight is responsible for transporting nearly 90% of world trade. To keep trade without hurdles, seafarers must be able to board and disembark ships “freely all over the world” and be paid through international banking systems, the organization said.
The International Chamber of Maritime Commerce has previously warned of a shortage of seafarers on merchant ships during the Covid-19 pandemic if no action is taken to increase it.
The lack of sailors and ships contributed to the shortages that drove up prices around the world.