UN urged to help hundreds of seafarers trapped on ships in Ukrainian ports

Ships have been essential to enable safe passage of grain but more than 300 crew remain stuck on vessels that are key targets

• Russia-Ukraine war – latest updates

Shipping companies and maritime organisations have urged the UN secretary general to help evacuate hundreds of seafarers who have been trapped onboard vessels in Ukrainian ports for a year.

About 2,000 seafarers in 112 ships were berthed in Ukrainian ports across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov before Russia’s invasion. After the war broke out, most crew were evacuated, but 331 seafarers remain stuck on 62 vessels across nine Ukrainian ports, including Mariupol and Odesa.