The government has approved compensation for losses sustained by ships as a result of Russian attacks

Financial risks for Ukrainian and foreign shipowners are set to be reduced. To this end, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a mechanism for state guarantees to compensate for losses resulting from Russian attacks on civilian vessels and cargo.

This was announced by Mykola Kalashnyk, Ukraine’s Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport. 

The approved mechanism provides for up to 80% compensation for losses resulting from Russian attacks on civilian vessels if the relevant risks are not covered by an insurer. This includes damage to or destruction of vessels, loss or damage to cargo, costs of emergency rescue operations, and other losses covered by the mechanism.

Compensation will apply to owners, operators, and charterers of vessels flying Ukrainian and foreign flags that transport cargo. 

Russia has been regularly striking civilian maritime infrastructure and shipping in the Black Sea since withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023. Port terminals, grain silos, and civilian vessels flying the flags of various countries around the world remain the primary targets of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as kamikaze drones.

Between 2024 and 2026, the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenne will be subjected to systematic attacks. As a result of these strikes, dozens of foreign dry cargo ships and tankers carrying agricultural products, metals, and other civilian cargo were damaged. The attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of Ukrainian port workers, as well as foreign crew members—citizens of Syria, Egypt, Turkey, and other countries.

Юлія Калабайда