Ukraine maintains its maritime exports and its contribution to global food security, – Oleksiy Kuleba on port operations during the war. This was emphasized by the Deputy Prime Minister for Ukraine’s Recovery – Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksiy Kuleba, during a meeting with the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority in the Odessa region.
The Ukrainian maritime corridor operates under constant military threat. Since its launch, it has handled over 162 million tons of cargo, including more than 98 million tons of grain. Nearly 7,000 ships have passed through the corridor.
“The security of Ukrainian ports today is not only a matter of Ukraine’s economy. It is a matter of global food security. Despite constant shelling and threats, we maintain the operation of the maritime corridor because we understand our responsibility to countries that depend on Ukrainian grain. Supplies of Ukrainian grain, oil, corn, and barley reach 55 countries worldwide. For many of them, especially in North Africa, this route is the only economically viable way to deliver. Our task is to protect infrastructure, safeguard people, and ensure uninterrupted deliveries even during the war,” Kuleba emphasized.
Daily work continues to strengthen the security of maritime ports. The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, in close coordination with the military, law enforcement agencies, and businesses, is implementing additional measures to protect infrastructure and ensure the safe passage of ships.
The safety of port workers is also a key focus. Shelters are being installed to enhance the safety of port staff during enemy strikes. Special attention is also given to energy resilience. Backup power sources are being implemented, cogeneration units installed, and critical infrastructure modernized. Ports are adapting to operate under energy limitations and combined attacks—all to ensure uninterrupted export operations.
The Deputy Prime Minister thanked everyone ensuring the functioning of the maritime corridor: port workers who load and dispatch ships daily, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, particularly the Navy, and the defenders of Snake Island—everyone responsible for maritime safety and infrastructure protection.
