A HUMANITARIAN initiative set up by transport workers’ unions and a ship management group has helped more than 100 members of the seafaring community reach safety after fleeing Ukraine.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation, ITF Seafarers’ Trust, Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine, and global ship manager V.Group joined forces last month to co-ordinate the evacuation of seafarers from Ukraine.

The initiative was established to provide seafarers and their families with accommodation as they seek refuge from the conflict.

According to the initiative’s founding partners, many seafarers live around port regions such as Odessa and Mariupol, which have been targeted by Russian forces.

“Many seafarers’ families are at the epicentre of the military actions taking place in key maritime cities in Ukraine,” MTWTU chairman Oleg Grygoriuk said.

“We do our best to ensure safety for seafarers’ families. Prior to the start of this project, we helped more than 60 people to cross the border using MTWTU resources,” he said.

“We gained valuable experience and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue this project, which definitely is the number one priority for seafarers’ families now.”

Katie Higginbottom, head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, said those who have been assisted by the joint initiative have been provided with secure accommodation as they plan their next steps.

“Today we heard that three families managed to make the move from Kherson to Odesa and will be on their way to safety on the next bus out this week,” she said.

“We can barely imagine the levels of courage and endurance required to take these perilous journeys.

“We continue to call for industry partners to join our initiative so that we can keep the project running for as long as it is needed and help as many families as possible.”

V.Group chief operating officer Allan Falkenberg said the initiative exists to support all Ukrainian seafarer families, regardless of their affiliation or employer.

“We’ve had a high number of people register interest in accessing support and we expect the level of demand to continue,” he said.

“The initiative is clearly making a significant difference to families with over one hundred people so far having reached safe accommodation.

“We now encourage more organisations in the industry to partner with us,” he said.

Based on a previous project update, it is understood seafarers are being provided with accommodation in Romania and Poland.