The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently issued a statement blasting the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict — warning of its impact on the whole shipping industry.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim issued his support for calls to terminate the hostilities after Russia launched military operations to invade Ukraine on February 24.

"As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Ukraine, I fully support and stand with UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for hostilities to cease immediately," Lim said. 

"I am gravely concerned about the spill over effects of the military action in Ukraine on global shipping, and logistics and supply chains, in particular the impacts on the delivery of commodities and food to developing nations and the impacts on energy supplies."

The IMO chief noted that along with the people of Ukraine, "innocent ships, seafarers and port workers engaged in legitimate trade should not be adversely impacted by this growing crisis."

"Shipping, particularly seafarers, cannot be collateral victims in a larger political and military crisis – they must be safe and secure," he added.

So far, Ukraine has shut its ports as a consequence of the conflict with its neighbour. Russia also earlier ordered the Azov Sea closed to the movement of commercial vessels until further notice ⁠— although it kept Russian ports in the Black Sea open.

Several ships have already been reported hit by missiles launched by Russia against Ukraine.

Various reports from the ground said over the past days, at least three ships have been impacted by the armed conflict: the Moldova-flagged chemical tanker Millennial Spirit and the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Namura Queen hit on February 25 and a day before, the Turkish-owned bulk carrier Yasa Jupiter was also reportedly hit by a missile off the coast of Odessa, sustaining slight damage and becoming the first confirmed merchant ship casualty of war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.