Ukraine: President renames Black Sea research vessel received from Belgium with EU support

An oceanographic research vessel transferred to Ukraine by Belgium with the support of the EU-funded project for improving environmental monitoring of the Black Sea (EU4EMBLAS) was renamed in an official ceremony on 29 October led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Odesa. The ship will carry out scientific research in the Black Sea.

The former Belgica was renamed the Borys Aleksandrov, after the famous Ukrainian marine biologist and director of the Institute of Marine Biology. Following the ceremony, the issue of marine pollution and how to best use the vessel was explored at a round table on the future of marine monitoring in Ukraine and the blue economy.

“Like Ukraine, two EU Member states – Bulgaria and Romania – border the Black Sea,” said EU Ambassador Matti Maasikas. “This sea connects us, and it is in our shared interests that we ensure its environmental condition is expertly monitored. The EU is pleased to be able to help Ukraine in this endeavour.”

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