Odessa patron and Honorary Consul of Greece in Crimea, Pantelis Boumbouras continues to provide humanitarian aid to 16 Ukrainian sailors of the vessel Mekong Spirit.
The container ship has been detained already for a year in the port of Lavrio, 60 km from Athens (Greece). Onboard are 16 Odessan citizens. The vessel, flying the Maltese flag, was detained by the Greek coast guard in May 2017. On board were found about 700 tons of industrial explosives, detonators, ammunition for small arms and sporting weapons and other such items.
According to Pantelis Boumbouras, negotiations are currently underway at the diplomatic level of both Ukraine and Greece. Diligent lawyers have been hired to help resolve this case.
"I am constantly communicating with the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece and the Minister of Transport of Greece. We are serious about resolving this situation. A lot of time has passed, yet the situation does not seem to progress at all. We brought this case to the attention of lawyers and the case is already being processed in court," said Pantelis Boumbouras.
The patron said that he has been helping Ukrainian seafarers for more than a year with necessary items, fresh water, medicine, clothing and items of personal hygiene. Recently, Mr. Boumbouras rented apartments for the crew members in the port of Lavrio.
"We regularly offer humanitarian aid and and truly hope that no force majeure occurs, as you understand how hard the situation was for the crew members psychologically. All support is of great importance for them at this stage. I really hope that they will soon return home to their families" he added.
Pantelis Boumbouras also noted that he was negotiating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to establish consultation centers for Ukrainian seafarers who periodically find themselves in difficult situations during voyages.
