Funds sought for Ukraine/EU port integration

The ports, law firm Interlegal and the Baltic Ports Organisation (BPO) have approached the Swedish Institute’s Ukraine Cooperation Program for funding on the project which will see greater collaboration between the EU and Ukraine and help strengthen the latter’s resilience and efficiency.

“It feels important that with our organisation’s expertise and strength in, among other things, port management, logistics and sustainability, be part of supporting the Ukrainian ports’ way forward in modernising and complying with EU standards in the field of transport,” said Jens Holm, chair of the board of Ports of Stockholm.

“I see that this collaboration strengthens Ports of Stockholm’s commitment to excellence, sustainability and regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, creating mutual benefits for all parties involved.”

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian ports handled around 160 million tonnes of cargo and were responsible for around 60% of the country’s trade turnover. Port infrastructure is now badly damaged and will need significant investment to rebuild.

“The integration of Ukrainian ports into the EU transport network is a challenge,” said Bogdan Ołdakowski, Secretary General of the BPO.

“With our role as a platform for Baltic Sea ports and our knowledge of the EU regulatory framework, we are able to support the project on issues that Ukrainian ports may face during their integration process into the EU transport network, as well as create a network of contacts between the Ukrainian partners and ports around the Baltic Sea.”

The project, if funded, will run between November 2024 and October 2025. The total grant is €17,300.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022. In December 2023, EU leaders decided to open accession negotiations. The Ukrainian transport infrastructure and its ports have been included in the EU’s newly revised policy for the Trans-European Transport Network.