The European Business Association (EBA) has appealed to the government with a proposal to resume operations at the Mykolaiv port and introduce additional measures to ensure the security of Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure and the free movement of ships in the Black Sea.
According to the EBA's statement, the stable operation of maritime routes is critically important for both the Ukrainian economy and international food security.
“These measures will help strengthen Ukraine’s position in global markets by reducing logistics costs and insurance risks for shipowners. This, in turn, will contribute to the formation of affordable food prices and effective exports,” the association explained.
Among the proposed measures, the business community suggests:
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Resuming operations at the Mykolaiv port and ensuring the evacuation of vessels that have remained blocked since the start of the full-scale invasion.
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Enhancing the protection of port infrastructure to ensure its stable functioning even under heightened security threats.
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Exploring the possibility of safe demining certain areas of the Black Sea and agricultural land in the region.
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Optimizing the operation of maritime export routes, in particular by allowing ships to wait in ports in the Odesa region, and not only at the entrance to the Sulina Channel.
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Restoring security at the Kherson port in order to begin its recovery and integration into export processes.
Additionally, in the context of public discussions about a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, EBA member companies are interested in obtaining information about the possibility of restoring the usual mode of navigation, particularly along the recommended routes that were in use before the full-scale war. This would help reduce freight and insurance costs, directly impacting the competitiveness of Ukrainian exporters.
“Business representatives are also concerned about frequent cases of changes in the status of Ukrainian sailors in the ‘Reserv+’ and ‘Oberih’ databases after a ship enters port. As a result, sailors are removed from voyages, leading to delays and overall complications in port and stevedoring operations. Therefore, the business community is asking for assistance in resolving such issues, in particular by canceling repeat checks of sailors who have already been inspected when entering the port,” the EBA added.
The association expressed hope that these additional measures to address transport and security challenges will be considered.
“The business community seeks open dialogue with the government and therefore invites state representatives to further discussions on the proposed initiatives,” the association concluded.
