The European Business Association has submitted to the government a proposal to resume the operation of the Mykolaiv port and implement additional measures to ensure the security of Ukraine's maritime infrastructure and unimpeded shipping in the Black Sea, the CFTS portal reports.
"Stable operation of sea routes is crucial both for the Ukrainian economy and for 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 facilitate the establishment of affordable food prices and efficient export operations," the association said in a statement.
The measures proposed by the business community include resuming operations at the port of Mykolaiv and ensuring the evacuation of ships that have been stranded there since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion; increasing the protection of port infrastructure to ensure its stable operation even in the face of increased security risks; considering the possibility of safely de-mining certain areas of the Black Sea and agricultural lands in the region; optimizing the operation of maritime export routes, in particular allowing ships to wait at ports in the Odesa region and not only at the entrance to the Sulina Canal; restoring security at the port of Kherson to facilitate its rehabilitation and integration into export processes.
"In addition, in the context of public discussions on a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, the association's member companies are interested in receiving information on the possibility of restoring the familiar shipping regime, especially along the recommended routes that existed before the outbreak of full-scale war. This would help reduce freight and insurance costs, which directly affect the competitiveness of Ukrainian exporters," the association said.
Business representatives also expressed concern about the frequent cases of the status of Ukrainian seafarers being changed in the Reserve+ and Oberih databases after a ship enters a port. These changes result in seafarers being removed from scheduled voyages, causing ship delays and complicating the operations of ports and stevedoring companies.
Therefore, the business community is requesting help in resolving these issues, including the elimination of repeated pre-departure checks for seafarers who have already been checked when their vessel entered port.
"The association hopes that the above-mentioned additional measures to address transportation and security issues will be considered," the association said.
