The event aimed to consolidate the efforts of key market players, central and local authorities to preserve and promote the development of Ukraine’s maritime sector, enhancing its participation in the European maritime community. The primary goal was to address the challenge of reconstructing Ukraine’s maritime sector into a sustainable and reliable structure. The discussion also highlighted the vital role of Ukraine’s maritime sector in the context of European economic integration and emphasized the urgent need to preserve and develop the sea.
One of the main messages of European Maritime Day in Ukraine is that Ukraine, and Mykolaiv in particular, are engaged in the EU’s economic transformation strategy.
This year, the event “Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy” was again held in Mykolaiv for a reason. The city is a center for the development of the blue economy in Ukraine, as emphasized by Mykolaiv’s mayor, Oleksandr Senkevich.
“Blue economy is a priority for our region. We want to develop it. And after the end of the hostilities, we aim to become the blue gateway for investments not only into the city but into the Ukrainian economy as a whole,” he said to the event participants.
Artem Vashchenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster and Coordinator of Team Europe Mykolaiv, emphasized that the goal of the event is to unite all stakeholders in supporting the development of Ukraine’s maritime sector, to activate Ukrainian business within the EU maritime community, and to restore the sector as an integrated and resilient structure.
Denys Chernikov, Project Manager of “Information Support for EU Networks in Ukraine,” provided insights into the EU’s policy regarding partnership and development in the maritime sector.
“We are not just with Ukraine in spirit here at European Maritime Day 2024 in Danish Svendborg. The collaboration already taking place between Mykolaiv and Denmark will intensify after the war: technology, defense measures, and maritime logistics will rapidly advance,” shared Bjørn Viche Becher, Director of International Affairs at Danish Maritime, during a live connection with Mykolaiv
The meeting also featured leading international experts.
Rodin Genoff, Managing Director of Rodin Genoff & Associates and an international expert on clusters and innovation, spoke about the blue economy as a force for sustainable development.
Professor Dr. Iden Mamut, Secretary General of the Black Sea Universities Network, provided information on the development of the blue economy ecosystem in the Black Sea region, including opportunities and tools for blue business.
Tadeusz Kopowski, Advisor to the Board of the Polish Maritime Technology Forum, discussed international cooperation for mutually beneficial partnerships and the development of the maritime sector.
Sotiris A. Bouzeas, General Director of Greek Challenge and Founder of TIASI, also participated in the event.
At the European Maritime Day in Ukraine, participants included members of the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster, leaders and managers from shipbuilding, ship repair, engineering companies, trade, shipping, and coastal services, as well as international and Ukrainian experts in the blue economy.
The event was organized by Team Europe Mykolaiv and the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster with the support of the EU Delegation to Ukraine as part of European Maritime Day 2024.
The event is part of the annual European Maritime Day (EMD), launched jointly by the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission in 2008 to exchange, discuss and prepare joint actions.