Ukraine war impact on Ukrainian seafarer abandonment 2022-2024 (aggregate)
2022-2024 · multiple · status: regime summary
- Opened
- 2022-02-24
- Closed
- 2024-12-31
- Port
- multiple
- Shipowner
- multiple
- Insurer named on DMLC
- multiple
- Seafarers affected
- aggregate
- Nationalities
- UA, RU
Summary
The February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine dramatically complicated abandonment resolution for Ukrainian + Russian crews caught in mid-contract when the conflict began. Repatriation via Ukraine became impossible during martial law + closed airspace; Russian repatriation faced sanctions-related banking + travel complications. ~200+ Ukrainian seafarers were stranded on abandoned vessels through 2022-2023 with resolution timelines extended significantly. ITF + Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure coordinated alternate repatriation via Moldova, Romania, and Poland. Russian crews on abandoned Western-flagged vessels also faced barrier problems with the trade + banking sanctions. This aggregate entry documents the pattern rather than individual cases.
Outcome for crew
significantly extended resolution timelines; alternate repatriation routes established.
Source
Resolution / documentation via: ITF + IMO/ILO Joint Database + Ukrainian Ministry
Related rights + resources
- · Abandonment rights (MLC A2.5.2) — the regulatory framework this case is governed by
- · Unpaid wages
- · MLC 2006 financial-security providers directory
- · International Group P&I Clubs