Ukraine spoke for the first time at the session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee

The Ukrainian delegation spoke in London during the 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

This was reported by the Ministry for Development Communites and Territories of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian delegation at the event was headed by Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba. In particular, during his speech, he drew attention to Russia’s systematic violations of international maritime law in the Black and Azov Seas.

The Ukrainian delegation also once again focused on the crimes of the Russian Federation – minelaying, shelling of ports and civilian vessels, which contradicts the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and IMO norms.

“Despite the full-scale invasion, Ukraine remains the guarantor of food security for the whole world. Since the beginning of the grain corridor, more than 4,600 vessels have passed through it, delivering more than 127 million tons of cargo,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Andriy Kashuba called on the IMO member states not to stand aside and support the implementation of the resolution condemning the aggression of the Russian Federation and recognizing the right of Ukraine to fully exercise the powers of the flag state, coastal and port state.

“Maritime security is the life of seafarers, freedom of trade and peace on the shores of our countries. When international maritime law is ignored, civilian ports become targets for missiles, and ships are afraid to enter international waters – this is a challenge to the entire international order, which we are trying to protect together with you. Ukraine is fighting not only for its sovereignty, but also for the principles on which the activities of the International Maritime Organization are based,” the official concluded.

Also, as part of his visit to the IMO headquarters, Andriy Kashuba held a separate meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez.

“The parties discussed key factors that pose a threat to the safety of shipping in the region: the activities of the shadow fleet, the blockade of Ukrainian ports, the violation of the principle of freedom of navigation, and the targeted destruction of maritime infrastructure,” the ministry noted. Earlier, USM reported that Ukraine and Sweden had agreed on mutual recognition of seafarers’ documents.