New Delhi: Today is the ninth day of the Ukraine war. So far more than 17 thousand Indians have been evacuated from Ukraine. But many Indians are still stranded. Many Indians are stranded not only inside Ukraine but also in the sea due to the war. According to a report, at least 21 Indian sailors are currently waiting to leave Mykolaiv port in southern Ukraine. This port is in the Black Sea but Indian sailors have been stuck in this cargo ship since February 25 due to the blockade in this area after the war.
Where Indian cargo ships are stranded, there are at least 25 more. Mykolaiv port in the Black Sea is a major transit point where the Russian military is now in a strong position. That’s why many ships in Mykolaive have lowered their masts hiding their nationality and are hoisting the Marshall Islands flag.
Blockade before goods are sold
Four of the 21 Indian crew members stranded in the ship are from Maharashtra. One of them while talking to TOI said that they have decided to stay on the ship on the instructions of the ship owners and local agents. These people are providing them with logistics etc. DG & VR Shipping & Manning Agency Are in touch with Indian diplomats and the Ministry of External Affairs to get the maritime sailors out safely. The ship was docked at Mykolaiv on 22 February after unloading the maize consignment. It was to be sold on 25 February, but on 24 February itself, Russia’s attack on Ukraine began, which led to a blockade in the area.
At present, there is no shortage of water on the ship.
As of now, there is no shortage of food, though initially there was a water shortage which has been resolved, a crew member said. We are storing water. Many other ships are also stranded here, he said. Here we hear the clear sound of the bombing. It is very scary but we have no choice. The ship’s captain is in constant touch with the shipping company and the manning agency that hires us and is getting updates. But it is not safe for us to step out on earth from here. Traveling by road is not advised. We are hoping that port operations return to normal soon so that we can leave safely.
Crew family upset
The family of one of the crew members has appealed to the government for help in evacuating them from the warring country. The wife of another sailor aboard the ship has accused the Mumbai-based company operating the ship of not doing anything. According to him, the ship left Montreal in November 2021. It reached Ukraine on 26 February and was scheduled to leave for Italy on 28 February. Ukraine is a major exporter of corn and wheat. Most of the cargo ships by sea stop in the Black Sea, but many of them are stuck nearby after the Russian attack. According to the Writer news agency, two cargo ships were bombed off the Odisha coast of Ukraine, in which a crew member is reported to have died.
