The International Maritime Organization has called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels after four crew were killed and a further two were injured in a Russian strike on the Port of Odessa in Ukraine on Monday.
According to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery/Minister of Community and Territorial Development, Oleksiy Kuleba, the Russian missile hit the 30 500-dwt Barbados-flagged MJ PINA, killing four Syrian citizens and injuring a further two, a Ukrainian and a Syrian.
The Greek-owned vessel, which had recently called at Russian ports, was loading wheat for export to Algeria when the attack took place. A second ship, docks, and grain storage facilities were also damaged in the strike.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life in the strike and called for attacks on commercial vessels to cease.
“My thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, as well as those who were injured,” Dominguez said.
“Seafarers ensure the continuous flow of essential goods that sustain communities worldwide. They must never become targets in conflicts beyond their control. We must reaffirm our collective commitment to their safety and well-being.
“I reiterate my call to all parties involved to work together to ensure that such acts of violence against innocent seafarers and shipping do not continue. International shipping should never become a casualty in the broader geopolitical landscape,” he said.
