On September 3–4, a Ukrainian delegation led by Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development Andriy Kashuba participated in the 2nd International Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the event, Andriy Kashuba held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Rumaih Al-Rumaih.
Kashuba expressed gratitude for the invitation to the conference and for Saudi Arabia’s support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan. The sides discussed mobilizing funds to restore Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure, which has suffered significant damage due to Russian aggression, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding and ship repair.
“For Ukraine, restoring maritime infrastructure is not only an economic matter but also a contribution to global food security and the development of new transport routes. We see significant potential in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, as their experience and Vision 2030 strategy can provide a strong foundation for synergy with our Maritime Recovery Plan,” said the Deputy Minister.
The discussion also covered cooperation in the upcoming elections to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in December 2025, with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue on implementing joint initiatives.
Kashuba invited his Saudi counterpart to visit Ukraine to observe operations at the ports of Odessa region and the maritime corridor.
Participation in such conferences allows Ukraine to build new partnerships, attract investments, enhance global food security, and integrate into international transport networks.
Background: The Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference 2025 is one of the key international events in the maritime sector, promoting innovation and sustainable development. The conference brought together over 50 transport ministers, representatives of the IMO, and leading global maritime industry leaders.
