Ukrainian seamen will be able to sign contracts for a year ahead
The professional union of maritime transport workers of Ukraine appealed to the Ministry of Infrastructure regarding the situation with the documents of Ukrainian seamen.
Back in February, the Ministry of Infrastructure extended the validity period of qualification and other documents of Ukrainian sailors until December 31 of the current year. A corresponding letter was also sent to the Secretary General of the IMO.
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However, until now, due to the war in Ukraine, a large number of Ukrainian sailors do not have the opportunity to confirm their qualifications and obtain the relevant documents, as well as obtain a seafarer’s identity card or extend the validity of existing documents.
Shipowners who hire are starting to replace Ukrainian sailors, concluding labor contracts with a term of validity after December 31 of the current year. However, the maritime administrations of the individual flag states of the ships on which the sailors are employed refuse to issue Confirmations for diplomas for more than December 31, referring to the letter of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Therefore, the trade union asked the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine to inform the IMO about the extension of the validity period of Ukrainian seafarers’ qualification documents and seafarer’s identity cards until December 31, 2023.