At a video meeting with Acting Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Vasyl Shkurakov on Wednesday, 28 August, Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet confirmed Estonia’s readiness to support Ukraine’s efforts to restore its maritime infrastructure.

The Ministry of Climate, in cooperation with the Ukrainian partners, has developed a comprehensive plan to restore the ports and fleet affected by the Russian attacks. Funding is currently being sought for the plan with a budget of 589 million euros.

“We have taken the initiative to help restore the most critical and urgent needs of Ukraine’s blue economy,” Svet said. “This way we can contribute directly to Ukraine’s victory and support their maritime activities in the longer term.”

The ministers decided to establish a Ukraine-Estonia working group to strengthen cooperation for the implementation of the plan and improve the exchange of information. Representatives of Ukraine will also participate in meetings with potential donors from all over the world, involving also the parties involved in the elaboration of the Estonian plan.

According to Shkurakov, more than half of the Black Sea ports are out of working order because of the Russian attacks. At the same time, keeping sea routes operational is critical for Ukraine, as not only grain exports but also imports of fuel and other goods pass through the Black Sea.

Ahead of the video meeting of ministers, the commander of the Ukrainian Navy forwarded to the Estonian Minister of Infrastructure a list of critical needs for the coming years in the amount of 151 million euros for carrying out or supporting military operations in the maritime area of Ukraine to ensure maritime security and situational awareness.

Estonian companies help restore Ukraine

The Ukrainian Navy plays a leading role in the country’s naval operations and has the best overview of the most critical needs. The need of 151 million euros identified by the Ukrainian Navy is part of the Ukrainian Maritime Recovery Plan (UA Maritime Recovery Plan), accounting for almost 25% of it.

GOOD TO KNOW
Cyber attaché Lauri Luht: “We aim to provide Ukraine with the assets, technology, knowledge, and training it needs.”
Read how Estonia is supporting also with cyber security tools, services, and expertise

“Helping Ukraine is our moral duty, but we can also strengthen our economy. Estonia has competitive and innovative companies in almost all sectors of the blue economy, which is why we and the Estonian maritime cluster are ready to contribute to the fields of shipbuilding, national defence, port construction and mine clearance,” Svet added.

In addition to restoring country´s destroyed fleet and ports and mine clearance in the Black Sea, Estonian companies are also prepared to contribute to maritime logistics and IT solutions and the establishment of various monitoring systems.

In cooperation with Ukraine, Estonia has introduced the plan to many partners in the EU and NATO, as well as to various donor organisations.

Are you interested in trading with Estonia? Enterprise Estonia is providing sourcing services for foreign enterprises. Contact Estonian export advisors or use our free e-consulting service to start trade with Estonia.