The ITF Seafarers’ Trust is seeking to highlight the impact of the war in Ukraine on seafarers, with a further photography project 'War in Ukraine: view from the sea'.
The project aims to share the voices of seafarers, both those from Ukraine dealing with the immediate consequences and from those other countries who have been touched by the war, with a hope to share examples of humanity and tolerance as well as highlight the practical effects of the war on seafarers.
The war in Ukraine is a catastrophe for all Ukrainian people with widespread consequences for many others. For seafarers the situation creates new practical challenges, on top of existing restrictions to travel and access to shore-based facilities still in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the war adds further huge pressures and worries on those working far from home and family in a time of conflict.
The ITF Seafarers' Trust hopes that all companies will be looking at free internet access for seafarers to allow people to keep in touch. It further trusts that all governments will be understanding of the additional stresses placed on seafarers at this time and do all they can to facilitate free movement and access to shore-leave.
Ukrainian seafarers, international colleagues and those who support their welfare are invited to share photos, stories, thoughts, fears, messages for families back home and for the wider world.
Oleg Grigoryuk, President of the Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU) said:
