On 24 November 2025, on the opening day of the 34th regular session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – the highest governing body of IMO, convened biennially – a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates of competency.
This inter-agency treaty of Ukraine, expanding employment opportunities for Ukrainian seafarers, was concluded during a meeting between Ukrainian representatives and the management of the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia.
Issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime safety and security amidst russian armed aggression were discussed. The agenda included countering the the “shadow fleet” operation, stranded ships in the seaports of Ukraine, and investment projects. The Ukrainian side expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for efforts in achieving a dignified peace, as well as support of Ukraine as a sovereign maritime state.
On Tuesday, 25 November, the Shipping Administration concluded a similar Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This treaty will apply not only to ships flying the flag of the United Kingdom, but also to the Red Ensign Group of British Shipping Registers, which includes the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey) and the British Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands).
The ceremony of signing was facilitated by the Department for Transport, United Kingdom. During the conversation with Andrew Gregory, Director for Resilience, Analysis, International and Sanctions, representatives of the Shipping Administration focused on strengthening international support for restoration of Ukraine’s maritime transport system, as well as further cooperation in the field of seafarers’ training and navigational safety.
On the same day, a substantive conversation was held with representatives of the Ministry of Climate of the Republic of Estonia as part of a bilateral meeting with the Estonian delegation. It was agreed to coordinate the development of a mechanism for financing the UA Maritime Recovery Plan and its subsequent presentation to international organisations.
A meeting also took place with Mr. Jānis Krastiņš, Director General of the Maritime Administration of the Republic of Latvia. Delegations exchanged their experience in the fields of digitalszation of administrative procedures and state supervision and control in maritime transport.
In addition, a conversation was held with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez, in which representatives from the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine took part. Matters at hand included the “shadow fleet” issues and finalisation of the technical assistance project, aimed at enhancing the special maritime corridor operation in the Black Sea.
Particular attention during the Assembly was paid to issues concerning the State Hydrographic Service of Ukraine. During the meeting with Mr. Francis Zachariae, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), we discussed the state of navigational and hydrographic support in Ukraine, as well as demand for international support in modernization and restoration of aids to navigation, which is crucial for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
The Shipping Administration extends its appreciation to our partners for their support and readiness to expand cooperation, contributing to Ukrainian maritime resilience during the full-scale aggression of russia.
