Ukrainian seamen refuse to call at russian ports

Six Ukrainian sailors want to be exchanged for a ship that is preparing to enter a russian port.

The ship’s captain turned to the Trade Union of Maritime Transport Workers for consultation. Six Ukrainian sailors are on board the ship.

The crew is afraid to enter a russian port because of the tense world situation and political persecution by the russian authorities. The sailors plan to notify the shipowner in advance of their decision and ask to organize a timely replacement of the Ukrainian sailors before arriving at the port.

In the union, sailors were recommended to contact the company, referring to the letter of recommendations regarding actions in the case of the above-mentioned situation.

“Now almost every Ukrainian sailor faces the risks of ship calls to russian ports. Most often, the crews face searches and interrogations by the russian special services,” the Trade Union stressed.

As previously reported by USM, at the beginning of the full-scale war, the union recommended that Ukrainian sailors to avoid going to russian ports in order to protect themselves.