Business calls for the reopening of Mykolaiv Port and enhanced security for maritime infrastructure

09/ 04/ 2025

The European Business Association has appealed to the Government with a proposal to resume operations at Mykolaiv Port and to introduce additional measures to ensure the safety of Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure and the unimpeded navigation in the Black Sea. The stable functioning of maritime routes is critically important both for the Ukrainian economy and global food security. These steps would help strengthen Ukraine’s position in global markets by reducing logistical costs and insurance risks for shipowners, which, in turn, would contribute to more affordable food prices and more efficient exports. The business community proposes the following measures: Reopen Mykolaiv Port and ensure the evacuation of vessels that have remained blocked since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Strengthen the protection of port infrastructure to guarantee its stable operation even under elevated security threats. Explore the possibility of safe demining of certain areas of the Black Sea and agricultural lands in the region. Optimise the functioning of maritime export routes, including allowing vessels to wait in the ports of the Odesa region, not just at the entrance to the Sulina Canal. Restore the safety of Kherson Port to enable its reconstruction and reintegration into export processes. Additionally, in the context of ongoing public discussions about a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, EBA member companies are keen to receive information about the potential resumption of regular navigation, particularly along the recommended routes that were in place before the full-scale war. This would help lower freight and insurance costs, which directly impact the competitiveness of Ukrainian exporters. Moreover, business representatives are concerned about recurring incidents involving changes to the status of Ukrainian seafarers in the Reserv+ and Oberih databases after a vessel enters a port. As a result, seafarers are removed from voyages, causing delays and complicating port and stevedoring operations. Therefore, the business community is seeking assistance in resolving such issues, particularly by cancelling repeated inspections before departure for seafarers who were already checked upon port entry. The ЕВА expresses its support for the Government of Ukraine and international partners and is grateful for the joint efforts in ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted export of Ukrainian goods to global markets. We highly appreciate the consolidation of efforts aimed at restoring safety in the Black Sea and normalising maritime navigation. However, given today’s challenges, the ЕВА hopes that the aforementioned additional measures will be considered to address current transport and security concerns. Business is eager to maintain an open dialogue with the Government and invites authorities for further discussion of the proposals put forward.

These steps would help strengthen Ukraine’s position in global markets by reducing logistical costs and insurance risks for shipowners, which, in turn, would contribute to more affordable food prices and more efficient exports.

The business community proposes the following measures:

Reopen Mykolaiv Port and ensure the evacuation of vessels that have remained blocked since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Strengthen the protection of port infrastructure to guarantee its stable operation even under elevated security threats.
Explore the possibility of safe demining of certain areas of the Black Sea and agricultural lands in the region.
Optimise the functioning of maritime export routes, including allowing vessels to wait in the ports of the Odesa region, not just at the entrance to the Sulina Canal.
Restore the safety of Kherson Port to enable its reconstruction and reintegration into export processes.

Additionally, in the context of ongoing public discussions about a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, EBA member companies are keen to receive information about the potential resumption of regular navigation, particularly along the recommended routes that were in place before the full-scale war. This would help lower freight and insurance costs, which directly impact the competitiveness of Ukrainian exporters.

Moreover, business representatives are concerned about recurring incidents involving changes to the status of Ukrainian seafarers in the “Reserv+” and “Oberih” databases after a vessel enters a port. As a result, seafarers are removed from voyages, causing delays and complicating port and stevedoring operations. Therefore, the business community is seeking assistance in resolving such issues, particularly by cancelling repeated inspections before departure for seafarers who were already checked upon port entry.

The ЕВА expresses its support for the Government of Ukraine and international partners and is grateful for the joint efforts in ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted export of Ukrainian goods to global markets. We highly appreciate the consolidation of efforts aimed at restoring safety in the Black Sea and normalising maritime navigation.

However, given today’s challenges, the ЕВА hopes that the aforementioned additional measures will be considered to address current transport and security concerns. Business is eager to maintain an open dialogue with the Government and invites authorities for further discussion of the proposals put forward.