The Seafarers’ Union of India (FSUI) has appealed to the Indian government and the vessel’s operator to urgently evacuate Indian sailors stranded aboard the bulk carrier MV AMIR1 in the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk.
According to the union, the vessel remains in an area repeatedly targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes, leaving the crew under constant threat.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine confirmed that the ship has a crew of 15, including 13 Indian nationals, and said it is closely monitoring the situation. The embassy added that it is maintaining contact with the shipowner and the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the crew’s safety.
The appeal follows a Russian strike on the merchant vessel MV OMORFI near the port of Odesa, which killed an Indian crew member. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Ukraine’s ambassador and condemned the attack, describing assaults on commercial shipping as a threat to maritime safety, freedom of navigation and international trade.
New Delhi has also called for stronger measures to protect civilian seafarers operating aboard merchant vessels in the Black Sea.
MV AMIR1 is a Tanzania-flagged dry cargo vessel built in 2009 with a deadweight of approximately 5,300 tonnes.
