Ports of Stockholm has announced a collaboration with partners to seek funding under the Swedish Institute’s Ukraine Cooperation Programme.
This partnership seeks to provide the framework for the integration of Ukrainian ports into the EU’s transport network.
Ports of Stockholm, along with the Odessa-based law firm Interlegal and the Baltic Ports Organisation (BPO), is requesting money from the Swedish Institute for a preparatory study.
The goal is to strengthen collaboration between Sweden and Ukraine in order to facilitate the integration of Ukrainian ports into the EU transportation system.
If approved, the project will include a number of main activities, including a needs analysis, knowledge of applying for EU funds for community development and construction, and study visits to a Baltic Sea port, all of which will contribute to improving the efficiency and conditions of Ukrainian ports for future trade.
Jens Holm, Chair of the Board of Ports of Stockholm, said: “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.”
READ: Ports of Stockholm and Riga apply for EU green funding
Ukrainian ports handled over 160 million tonnes of cargo and accounted for roughly 60 per cent of Ukraine’s economic turnover prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
As the war severely damaged Ukraine’s port infrastructure, Ukrainian ports will need to be rebuilt, modernised, and integrated into the EU’s transportation network, according to Ports of Stockholm.
Bogdan Ołdakowski, Secretary General of the Baltic Ports Organization, stated: “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 netwPorts of Stockholm applies for EU green grantork of contacts between the Ukrainian partners and ports around the Baltic Sea.”
READ: Ports of Stockholm applies for EU green grant
The project, if financed, will run from November 2024 to October 2025. The entire award amount is €17,300 ($18,693).
Ukraine filed for EU membership in February 2022, and it received EU candidate status in June 2022. In December 2023, EU leaders resolved to begin admission talks. The EU’s recently amended policy for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) now includes Ukraine’s transport infrastructure and ports.
