In what’s been described as a major breakthrough for the careers of Ukrainian seafarers, a remote office is now accepting applications for seafarer passports and to upgrade qualifications while abroad.

The development was hailed as a “game changer” when it was revealed in June. And since the office started accepting applications on September 17th, more than 387 seafarers registered for their passports and appointments are mostly fully booked for October. A few dates in November are also taken.

According to Danica Crewing Specialists CEO Henrik Jensen, it offered a vital lifeline to thousands of Ukrainian seafarers stranded abroad by war, bureaucracy, and logistical dead ends.

The remote centre removes the need for Ukrainian seafarers to return home for critical paperwork and cuts through red tape that threatened jobs and disrupted contracts.

The Morrichservice State Enterprise now issues Seafarer’s Identity Documents/Seaman Service Books (SID/SBK) in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 730 from its representative office in Warsaw.

In addition, there were 63 applications for production of SBK documents, 18 of them classed as urgent. The first clients have already received their new SBKs in Warsaw.

Mr Jensen said: “This is a huge and very welcome development for Ukrainian seafarers, who will be able to earn a living without disruption to their careers in a time of great uncertainty in their home country. It will be a massive relief to them and their families at this time, and is a major breakthrough.”