The MTWTU Chairman, Oleg Grygoriuk, told about the Union's activities in wartime conditions — achievements at the international level and challenges at the national level.
He emphasised that the main MTWTU task remains protecting the rights and supporting its members both in Ukraine and abroad. Thanks to partnerships with the ITF, ETF and national unions in various countries, Ukrainian seafarers continue to enjoy strong international solidarity. The Union participates in global negotiations and represents Ukraine's interests among the world's leading maritime nations.
Special attention was paid to social programmes. Over the three years of the war, more than 3,500 families of Ukrainian seafarers have received financial assistance totalling over 63 million UAH. This includes compensation for medical treatment, support for displaced families, and assistance in cases of loss of housing or relatives. The work of the Union Dent Dental Clinic, which has already provided free assistance to more than 460 seafarers and their families, was noted separately.
Youth development has also become an important topic. On the MTWTU's initiative, cadets were given the opportunity to take the Unified State Qualification Exam abroad for the first time — in Varna, Klaipėda, Chisinau, and Munich. This allowed more than 1,600 future officers to obtain diplomas and continue their professional careers. In addition, thanks to a dual degree programme with the Lithuanian Maritime Academy, dozens of Ukrainian cadets have the opportunity to study and work at the international level.
Another important area of activity is humanitarian support, which the MTWTU provides in cooperation with international partners such as the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, The Seafarers’ Charity, the German union ver.di, the Swedish union SEKO and other organisations. Thanks to this cooperation, Ukrainian seafarers and their families receive food sets, generators, portable stations, as well as assistance in emergency situations, in particular during the liquidation of the consequences of the explosion at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.
“Today, our seafarers not only work but are also forced to live in different parts of the world due to war and difficult circumstances. However, wherever they are, the Union is always standing by them. We support cadets so that they can study and start their careers, we help families in difficult times, and we protect the Ukrainian seafarers' rights at the international level. This is our daily work, which we do with pride and responsibility, because people's confidence in tomorrow depends on our support," Oleg Grygoriuk emphasised in his speech.
