Seafarers report new corruption in the field of diplomas

Ukrainian sailors report attempt to launch new corruption scheme in the field of diplomas

Ukrainian sailors have released a video message demanding to stop what they say is a new wave of corruption in the diplomatic sphere. In the video, recorded by participants from different parts of the world, they claimed that the authorities have established prices in $1000 for registration seafarer's identity card abroad is 20 times more expensive than a similar document in the EU.

Details of the seafarers' application

In their appeal, the sailors claim that the authorities are preparing changes to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1499, according to which seafarers will no longer be allowed to prove their identity with a domestic or foreign passport to obtain work documents.

In their opinion, this will create an artificial dependence on one document - a seafarer's identity card - the cost of which the authorities allegedly want to set at $1000, The amount of money is called «unaffordable and unreasonable».

Seafarers believe that this approach will force tens of thousands of specialists urgently issue a certificate at an inflated price.

Context.

The seafarers recorded their appeal simultaneously from different parts of the world: Odesa, ports in Brazil, Singapore, Europe, Jamaica, the US East Coast, Western Canada and even near Antarctica.

In October 2025, a documentary story about the fight of Ukrainian sailors against corruption in the field of diplomas in 2020-2023 was presented. According to the authors of the film, the schemes of that time brought the organisers millions of dollars annually.