Russian forces have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports, berths, vessels, anchorages and shipping approaches, Kalashnyk wrote on Facebook.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 1,173 port infrastructure facilities and 274 civilian vessels have been damaged or partially destroyed, he said.
“Since July 22, cargo handling at the ports of Greater Odesa has fallen more than 15-fold,” Kalashnyk wrote. “This is a direct blow to Ukrainian exports, the economy and the food security of other countries.”
Kalashnyk said officials met in Odesa to assess the current situation and discuss measures needed to maintain port operations.
The meeting included lawmakers, commanders from Ukraine’s Navy and Air Force, representatives of the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Ukrainian Railways, Shipping Administration, Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company and port businesses.
“We had a substantive discussion with port businesses — from keeping ports operational and protecting people, ships and infrastructure to financial conditions, insurance, compensation for losses and logistics costs,” Kalashnyk said.
“Businesses must continue operating even under the current level of threats. The state’s task is to create the conditions for that.”
Authorities and businesses are also looking for alternative cargo routes, primarily through rail transport and Ukraine’s Danube ports, he said.
The European Business Association previously proposed restoring preferential lease-payment arrangements for the use of state infrastructure at Greater Odesa ports during periods when operations are effectively blocked by Russian attacks.
Ukraine’s agricultural exports also fell by about two-thirds in August amid the disruption of Black Sea ports and growing reliance on alternative logistics routes.