(London) The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) warned on Thursday of disruption to supply chains “if the free movement of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers is hampered”.
Posted at 10:05 a.m.
In a statement, the London-based International Chamber of Shipping called for seafarers not to be “collaterally damaged by actions that governments or others may take”, recalling that they have been “in the forefront of the pandemic response, ensuring that essential supplies of food, fuel and medicine continue to arrive at their destination”.
These two nationalities accounted for 14.5% of the global shipping workforce in 2021, with 198,123 Russian seafarers and 76,442 Ukrainian seafarers, the ICS says.
“The safety of our seafarers is our top priority,” ICS Secretary General Guy Platten said in the statement.
“We hope that all parties will continue to facilitate the free passage of goods and these key workers at this time,” he continued.
Maritime transport is responsible for moving nearly 90% of world trade.
To maintain unhindered trade, seafarers must be able to embark and disembark “freely throughout the world”, and be paid via international banking systems, adds the organization.
The ICS had previously warned of a shortage of seafarers on commercial ships during the COVID-19 pandemic, if no action was taken to increase the number.
Lack of sailors and ships contributed to shortages that drove up prices around the world.