THE International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) has condemned the Russian missile attacks which struck the port of Odesa less than 24 hours after the signature of the international agreement to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor to enable ships to export essential cargoes of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian seaports.
The association said the attacks gravely undermine efforts by Ukrainian seaports to prepare resumption of maritime traffic, adding that the iaph and The Seafarers' Charity appeal to the maritime industry to support Ukrainian port workers.
'IAPH commends Ukrainian port workers, represented through the Maritime Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, who are making every effort to prepare the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for the resumption of maritime traffic under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
'The missile attacks which struck the port of Odesa less than 24 hours after the signature of the international agreement gravely undermine these efforts and seriously jeopardise the reliability of such an accord,' IAPH said in a statement.
'The safety and security of all port workers and seafarers that enable maritime traffic from Ukrainian seaports should be absolutely guaranteed if the agreement is to achieve results within the planned deadline,' the statement said.
The Ukrainian Seaports Authority have in the meantime issued a communique advising that preparations are being made at the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for cargo operations, requesting applications for the inclusion of those vessels which will be led by convoy to and from these ports.
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The association said the attacks gravely undermine efforts by Ukrainian seaports to prepare resumption of maritime traffic, adding that the iaph and The Seafarers' Charity appeal to the maritime industry to support Ukrainian port workers.
'IAPH commends Ukrainian port workers, represented through the Maritime Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, who are making every effort to prepare the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for the resumption of maritime traffic under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
'The missile attacks which struck the port of Odesa less than 24 hours after the signature of the international agreement gravely undermine these efforts and seriously jeopardise the reliability of such an accord,' IAPH said in a statement.
'The safety and security of all port workers and seafarers that enable maritime traffic from Ukrainian seaports should be absolutely guaranteed if the agreement is to achieve results within the planned deadline,' the statement said.
The Ukrainian Seaports Authority have in the meantime issued a communique advising that preparations are being made at the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi for cargo operations, requesting applications for the inclusion of those vessels which will be led by convoy to and from these ports.
SeaNews Turkey
