Ukraine Calls for Monitoring Mission at Odesa ports

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on Wednesday that Ukraine has requested the International Maritime Organization to send a monitoring mission to ports in the southern Odesa region, according to Reuters. This request is made in response to increased Russian strikes in the area, like the ongoing attacks on the port of Odesa, Ukraine (LOCODE: UAODS).

In recent weeks, Russian forces have significantly increased their missile strikes on Ukraine's southern port infrastructure. Since October 6, they have damaged a total of four foreign-flagged civilian vessels. Among these are the Palau-flagged 5,800 dwt Optima (IMO:9528691), the Belize-flagged 2,700 dwt cargo ship NS Moon (IMO: 8919855) and the Panama-flagged container ship Shui Spirit (IMO: 9216729).

“Amid increased Russian terror, Ukraine has officially appealed to the International Maritime Organization to send an international monitoring mission to the ports immediately,” said the foreign minister at a briefing in Odesa. The briefing took place after Sybiha met with his counterparts from the Nordic-Baltic Eight group.

Sybiha emphasized how the Russian attacks on port infrastructure, civilian vessels, and grain storage facilities put global food security at risk.

Ukraine is a key global grain producer. Before Russia’s invasion in 2022, Ukraine exported about 6 million tons of grain per month via the Black Sea. About 85%of Ukrainian food exports now leave the country from its ports in the Black Sea, according to Reuters' article.

Insurance experts have reported a rise in insurance costs and several cancellations of bookings following the recent Russian attacks.

Over the past three months, Russia has carried out almost 60 attacks on ports, according to Ukraine. This has resulted in the damage and destruction of nearly 300 port infrastructure facilities and 22 civilian vessels, as reported by Reuters.