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

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. 

Latest news

• IMO condemns attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea (13 July 2026)
  
  

Black Sea Initiative 

The UN-facilitated Black Sea Grain Initiative enabled the export of Ukrainian grain through a humanitarian maritime corridor until it expired in July 2023. Read more here.

Communications received from Member States and Associate Members

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

Seafarers

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.
  

• Free, confidential, multilingual helpline for seafarers and their families operated by ISWAN: https://www.seafarerhelp.org/ 
  

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.