Maritime Security and Safety in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov

IMO update

The ongoing armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine presents a serious and immediate threat to the safety and security of crews and vessels operating in the region. IMO is continuing to liaise closely with all key stakeholders in the region to contribute to efforts to address the safety and security of seafarers and shipping.

IMO Assembly resolution (2023)

On 4 December 2023, the 33rd IMO Assembly adopted a resolution A.1183(33) on "The impact of the Russian Armed Invasion of Ukraine on International Shipping", which, among many considerations, underscores the paramount importance of preserving the safety and welfare of seafarers; the need to preserve the security of international shipping and the maritime community; and the supply chains that sustain other nations and provide export-import cargo flow through the seaports of Ukraine, vital for the functioning of the Ukrainian economy.

Through the resolution, the Assembly decided, inter alia, to conduct a needs assessment as a priority with a view to providing technical assistance to support Ukraine in the implementation of IMO instruments as Ukraine continues to operate the special maritime corridor. Funding has been secured and an update will be provided to the IMO Council and Committees.

Establishment by Ukraine of a special maritime corridor

IMO Resolution A.1183(33) commends the establishment by Ukraine of a special maritime corridor in its sovereign waters in the Black Sea for commercial vessels heading to and from Ukrainian ports, which has facilitated the release of commercial vessels that had been stranded in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Communications from the Government of Ukraine include:

Circular Letter No.4769 (24 August 2023) - Recommended maritime route

Circular Letter No.4748 (19 July 2023) - Maritime route in the north-western part of the Black Sea

Black Sea Initiative

The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) Istanbul - comprising representatives of the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations - was established to facilitate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor to allow ships to export grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine. Read more here: Black Sea Grain Initiative | Joint Coordination Centre | United Nations

Communications received from Member States and Associate Members

Communications from Member States and Associate Members are available on IMODOCS and are available publicly here.

Official UN pages

Black Sea Initiative Joint Coordination Centre: website here.

Website for the UN in Ukraine, including relevant statements from the United Nations, can be accessed here.

United Nations news page on Ukraine: https://news.un.org/en/focus/ukraine

IMO Meetings

Assembly, 33rd session (A 33, 27 November-6 December 2023): Adoption of Resolution A.1183(33) The impact of the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine on international shipping.
Council, 129th session (C 129), 17-21 July 2023: Black Sea update
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106), 2-11 November 2022: update on the latest developments regarding the successful operation of the Black Sea Initiative.
Council 128th session, 28 November-2 December 2022 (C128): update on the current situation, encouraged the Secretary-General to continue to work on humanitarian efforts to evacuate all stranded ships and seafarers in the conflict area, including efforts to expand the Black Sea Initiative to other types of ships and additional ports.
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 105), 20-29 April 2022: MSC Resolution: Actions to facilitate seafarer evacuation
Legal Committee (LEG 109), 21-25 March 2022: Guidance on the impact of the situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov on insurance or other financial security certificates.
Council Extraordinary Session (C ES 35), 10-11 March 2022: Download Council decisions on Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

Advice for IMO Member States, seafarers and shipping

IMO has issued circular letters (CL series 4524) to provide guidance for Member States, seafarers, shipping companies and other stakeholders:

Circular Letter No.4611/Add.1 (30 August 2022) - Communication from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Black Sea Grain Initiative - Procedures for Merchant Vessels - Updated (final version)
Circular Letter No.4611 (9 August 2022) - Communication from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Black Sea Grain Initiative - (interim) Procedures for Merchant Vessels - please see Add.1 above
Circular Letter No.4573 (24 May 2022) - Maritime security threat posed by free floating sea mines in the Black Sea Region
Circular Letter No.4524/Add.3 (28 March 2022) - Armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine – Information Reporting Form for Stranded Ships and advice and updates related to maritime security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov
Circular Letter No.4524/Add.2 (31 March 2022) - Ukraine crisis – Harmonization of PSC activities
Circular Letter No.4524/Add.1 (14 March 2022) - Ukraine crisis – Security situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov
Circular Letter No.4524 (7 March 2022) Ukraine crisis – UNHCR Position on Returns to Ukraine

Flag State information

Contact details for individual maritime authorities by country can be located on the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System: Click here.

Resources and support for seafarers

Seafarers impacted by the situation can request assistance from IMO's Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) by emailing info@imo.org.
IMO Maritime Knowledge Centre page with information resources for and about seafarers: click here.
Free, confidential, multilingual helpline for seafarers and their families operated by ISWAN: https://www.seafarerhelp.org/ [external site]

Seafarers International Relief Fund

The Seafarers International Relief Fund, a central charitable Fund to respond to emergencies affecting seafarers and their families, is now supporting seafarers and their families impacted by the humanitarian disaster caused by the crisis in Ukraine.

Please see The Seafarers International Relief Fund (theseafarerscharity.org) (donate now button on the page).