Addressed ICS and IMEC with a request to help insure Ukrainian seafarers on ships worldwide are granted additional access to the Internet and phone calls.
Guy Platten
Secretary General
International Chamber of Shipping
Francesco Gargiulo
Chief Executive Officer
International Maritime Employers’ Council
Dear Sirs,
As you are well aware, in the early hours of 24th February 2022 the Russian Federation invaded the territory of Ukraine.
Many Ukrainian seafarers currently remain on board the merchant vessels worldwide, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the global shipping. These brave crew members continue serving the world despite their hearts and minds remain with their families back home day and night.
It is clear and obvious that due access to information in given circumstances is the most important out of all the needs and can be considered as a basic one, same as food and water.
In view of the above we at the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine ask you to support and move forward our kind request to the international shipping companies to ensure Ukrainian seafarers currently serving on board the ships around the world are supplied with sufficient and even surplus means of communication, i.e. access to the Internet, phone cards, satellite phone, etc.
In current situation, we consider the above mentioned need essential to ensure mental health, wellbeing, due service, safety and security on board the international ships.
Thank you for your kind attention, cooperation and help on the matter outlined above.
Sincerely yours,
Oleg Grygoriuk
MTWTU Chairman