Middle Eastern countries can learn from the experience of Ukrainian ports during the war- an opinion

The Persian Gulf countries can learn from the experience of Ukrainian seaports during the war.

This opinion was expressed by the head of the Association of Ports of Ukraine (“Ukrport”) Dmytro Barinov in an interview with USM.

In his opinion, the ports of the Persian Gulf are currently experiencing a similar experience to Ukraine: shelling, attacks on infrastructure, blocking shipping, even the same types of drones attacking facilities.

“When there is a blockade, it works according to a similar logic everywhere. Ports stop, ships cannot enter or leave, flights are canceled, problems arise with the evacuation of crews. The question immediately arises: what to do with the cargo, how to restructure logistics, what alternative routes can they be sent by,” Barinov commented.

He recalled that Ukraine has already experienced this experience and has worked it out in practice.

“For example, in the first days of the full-scale invasion, a so-called agricultural headquarters was created. We constantly communicated with large agricultural companies and exporters to take into account their needs: how many vessels were needed, which cargoes should be prioritized, how to organize work so that the interests of all market participants were taken into account as much as possible,” the head of Ukrport recalled.

He noted that openness and constant dialogue with business played an important role. We spoke honestly and directly with the market from the very beginning: if cargoes are blocked (for example, grain at elevators, oil or other products), it is necessary to explain what is happening, what steps are being taken and what plans there are. Such transparency helps reduce tension and allows the market to adapt.

“I am convinced that it is this openness and constant communication that have become one of the key factors that have allowed us to maintain the system. Many countries did not have such experience before, but now, unfortunately, they will also have to gain it. And to some extent, they gain this experience by observing how Ukraine acted,” Barinov said.

Earlier, USM reported that the IMO is calling for the creation of a safe corridor for the evacuation of sailors from the Persian Gulf.