IN ODESA TOOK PLACE A MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO), ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNITY AND TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE, ANDRII KASHUBA, AND THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN SEA PORTS AUTHORITY (USPA), OLEKSANDR SEMYRHA
As part of the visit, the delegation inspected the Odesa Marine Terminal, which suffered severe damage due to russian attacks. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 385 port infrastructure facilities have been destroyed or damaged, significantly complicating the stable operation of Ukrainian ports.
Oleksandr Semyrha highlighted key areas for the development of the port industry, including infrastructure restoration and modernization, the expansion of container transportation, the implementation of concession projects, and fleet renewal, due to the fact that 61% of vessels were built before 1993.
The IMO plays a key role in ensuring the smooth flow of global trade and regulating commercial shipping. In 2024, with the support of the organization, Ukraine successfully achieved russia's exclusion from the IMO Council due to its systematic violations of international regulations and attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure. This decision sent an important signal to the international community about russia's responsibility for destabilizing maritime transport.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez confirmed his support for Ukraine and its port industry, particularly regarding the implementation of the Maritime Single Window system in Ukraine in accordance with the FAL Convention
