The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham) is calling on international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s air and naval defense, particularly the Black Sea port infrastructure, as recent Russian strikes have put maritime exports at risk.
“AmCham Ukraine calls international partners to urgently reinforce Ukraine’s air and maritime defense capabilities to safeguard civilian lives, critical infrastructure, ports, and the continuity of global trade and food supply chains,” the association said in a statement on Thursday.
AmCham explained that recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine and the Odesa region have caused injuries and deaths among port workers and ship crews, damaged ports, energy facilities, grain storage, and commercial vessels.
Additionally, Russian strikes have reduced terminal operations by up to 50%, with some terminals halted and most running on generators. Widespread power outages and additional costs for generator use have occurred, and power plants and electrical networks have been damaged and require repairs. Rail connections to ports are also limited, and commercial vessels face delays and demurrage charges, the statement noted.
“The current situation poses a direct risk to global food and raw material supply chains, with far-reaching consequences for international markets and food security, including rising food prices and worsening hunger indicators in vulnerable countries,” AmCham emphasized.
The statement also notes that real-time assessment of losses for grain and oilseed exporters is difficult.
“However, they are currently estimated at hundreds of millions of US dollars per month,” the organization said.
AmCham stresses that without air and naval defense, both Ukrainian and international businesses will face operational challenges, making it impossible to charter ships or obtain insurance coverage for vessels, crews, and cargo.
According to the Ministry of Development, since the sea corridor began operating in 2023, over 162 million tons of cargo have been processed, including more than 98 million tons of grain, with nearly 7,000 vessels passing through the corridor.
