Abstract

Ukraine has long been one of the leading suppliers of qualified seafarers to the world merchant fleet. Most Ukrainian seafarers serve on foreign-flagged vessels, and their earnings are a significant source of foreign currency for the national economy. The introduction of martial law in 2022 created a governance dilemma for the state. Men of military age face restrictions on leaving the country, and the state has mobilization needs. If seafarers lose access to employment, however, Ukraine risks a long-term loss of its position in the global maritime labour market. This article analyzes how seafarers' labour mobility is administered under martial law, identifies the institutional weaknesses of this mechanism, and proposes a model that reconciles defence needs with Ukraine's competitiveness in the global market. The study is based on a structured analysis of documents, using actor and competence mapping, criteria-based assessment of policy instruments and a comparative analysis of other seafarer-supplying states, applied to legal and regulatory acts, international conventions and publicly available official materials. It examines the system of exit exemptions, confirmation mechanisms involving intermediaries, inter-agency cooperation and return guarantees. The main weaknesses identified are frequent rule changes, fragmentation of competences among authorities, a lack of public data for evidence-based decisions and weak return mechanisms. A model of "managed mobility" is proposed, based on stability of rules, data transparency and the contractual responsibility of crewing companies. The article ends with policy recommendations for Ukrainian public authorities.

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