Strengthening Maritime Security Cooperation in Ukraine
The Ministry of Development of Ukraine and the International Maritime Organization are enhancing their collaboration to ensure the safety of the country's seaports and the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba met with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez to discuss key aspects of cooperation in shipping safety for the region.
This marks Arsenio Dominguez's first visit to Ukraine.
Also present at the meeting were First Deputy Minister Aliona Shkrum, Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba, and IMO Deputy Director for Maritime Safety Ismael Cobos Delgado.
Kuleba stated: “We aim to continue our joint efforts to ensure safe navigation, protect human lives, and safeguard environmental security. Port safety is crucial for our economy and global food security. Since the launch of the Ukrainian maritime corridor, 109 million tons of cargo have been transported, including 70 million tons of grain. This represents over 4000 vessels delivering food to Africa, Asia, and Europe. The world relies on us.
Additionally, it is essential to maintain pressure on Russia's shadow tanker fleet, which continues to transport oil globally despite sanctions, financing terrorism and aggression against Ukraine.
I would like to express my gratitude to the International Maritime Organization for its continuous support. We hope that together we can achieve the main goal of the IMO: to ensure safe maritime navigation and a high level of protection for those who work at sea,” Kuleba added.
Aliona Shkrum outlined the primary losses in the maritime sector since the onset of the full-scale invasion, including 385 destroyed port infrastructure objects, 31 damaged civilian vessels, and 98 injured port workers.
She emphasized the importance of a strong position from the IMO for the effective protection of Ukraine's port infrastructure in the future. Following the shelling of Odesa port on March 11, which resulted in the death of four Syrian nationals, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned the killings of seafarers.
During the meeting, he assured the Ministry's team of the IMO's readiness for active cooperation and stable support for Ukraine in the future. The parties agreed to maintain contact, with Kuleba inviting the Secretary-General to the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, scheduled for this July in Rome. Additionally, it is worth noting that in July 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky approved Ukraine's Maritime Security Strategy, which aims to uphold international obligations in accordance with IMO conventions.
Ukraine's strategic plans also include joining several other international conventions related to shipping safety.
The parties agreed to cooperate under the Ukraine Maritime Transport Recovery Plan, developed by the Ministry of Development in collaboration with the Estonian Ministry of Climate at the beginning of 2024, with an overall budget of 550 million euros.
For reference: The IMO is the main international organization that regulates international commercial shipping. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the IMO has made several important decisions to support Ukraine, including suspending Russia's membership in the IMO Council.