Government's team and U.S. team visited the Odesa Sea Port

First Deputy Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Serhii Derkach, together with a U.S. delegation led by former Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine of U.S. President Donald Trump Keith Kellogg, visited the Odesa Sea Port.

The working visit was attended by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi, Mykola Kravchuk, Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Oleg Kiper, Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, and Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy.

During the visit, the delegation inspected the aftermath of russian attacks on the infrastructure of the Odesa Sea Port. The U.S. side was presented with information on the operation of Ukrainian seaports under the conditions of the full-scale war, the scale of damage caused by russia, and measures being taken to maintain the stable operation of port infrastructure. 

Particular attention during the working meeting was paid to the safety of navigation and the operation of the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor. Despite constant russian attacks, seaports remain a critically important part of Ukraine’s export logistics and ensure access of Ukrainian products to global markets.

«It is critical for us that our American partners can directly see the conditions in which Ukrainian ports operate today. russia systematically attacks civilian port infrastructure and vessels, attempting to restrict Ukrainian exports and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. Despite this, we continue to ensure the operation of the maritime corridor. Our task is to work together with our partners to strengthen the protection of ports, support safe navigation and ensure the resilience of Ukrainian logistics,» said Serhii Derkach. 

Every day of operation of Ukrainian ports under constant shelling is the result of the joint efforts of port workers, pilots, military personnel and all services that ensure the safety of navigation and the continuity of logistics. We are restoring damaged infrastructure, strengthening its protection and creating the safest possible conditions for people to work. Our task is to preserve the resilience of the ports, as their operation directly affects Ukraine’s export opportunities, revenues to the economy and our ability to remain a reliable partner in global markets,» emphasized Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority Mykola Kravchuk.  

The participants also discussed the further restoration and development of port infrastructure, strengthening the resilience of export routes, and opportunities to attract international partners and private capital to infrastructure projects.

The stable operation of seaports is important far beyond Ukraine. Through the maritime corridor, Ukrainian agricultural products reach the markets of dozens of countries, and therefore this concerns global food security. russian attacks on port infrastructure are a blow not only to Ukrainian exports but also to the stability of global food markets. Therefore, it is important for us to work together with international partners to ensure the continuity of exports and maintain access of Ukrainian producers to global markets,» emphasized Taras Vysotskyi. 

A separate area of the meeting was economic and investment cooperation with the United States. Ukraine is interested in attracting American companies to specific public-private partnership projects in transport and municipal infrastructure. Priorities include concession projects at the Port of Chornomorsk, the development of road and railway infrastructure, as well as projects in the water supply sector. It is important to involve American businesses not only as investors but also as technology and operational partners. 

The meeting also addressed opportunities for cooperation within the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund, established under the economic agreement between Ukraine and the United States. For the Ministry, the Fund may become one of the instruments for attracting investment in transport and logistics. This includes developing a joint portfolio of infrastructure projects in which American companies, financial institutions and technology providers may participate. 

«Odesa region experiences every day what it means to be a key logistics region of the country during the war. The enemy systematically attacks the ports and infrastructure of the region, but after every strike, we work to restore them as quickly as possible and continue to ensure the operation of the ports. It is essential for us to strengthen their protection and resilience, as this affects not only the region’s economy but also the export opportunities of the entire Ukraine. We are grateful to our partners who see these challenges firsthand and are ready to support us,» stated Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleg Kiper.