You're reading: NATO ships arrive at Odesa port, to be open to visitors

Ships from the NATO Standing Maritime Group N2 (SNMG2), the British Royal Navy’s HMS Duncan destroyer and the Turkish Navy’s Yildirim frigate, arrived at the Ukrainian port of Odesa on July 24, the Ukrainian Navy Command said in a statement.

The visit program involves, in particular, joint training sessions in ship damage control and search operations with the Ukrainian Navy. On July 25, the ships will open to the public, while the crews will treated to a cultural program.

It is expected that on conclusion of their visit the NATO ships will conduct a joint PASSEX-style training session with the Ukrainian Navy in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian Navy Commander Ihor Voronchenko met with SNMG2 Commander Commodore James Morley and the commanders of the visiting ships.

“The parties stressed the importance of developing cooperation between the Ukrainian Navy and NATO, the navies of the partner-countries in terms of strengthening the security at sea and in the region,” the statement said.