At the initiative of University President Sergiy Kivalov, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NU OLA and the UK-based international defense company LAVR UK LIMITED. The memorandum was signed by Professor Oleg Todoshchak, rector of the NU OLA, and Russell Colson, director of LAVR UK LIMITED. The two parties agreed to collaborate on the project "Proposal for Institutional Review and Modernization of the ISPS Code in Light of Emerging Maritime Threats."
The parties observed that Ukraine's experience highlights several modern threats to merchant shipping, such as sea drones, FPV-drones, cyberattacks, interference and spoofing of navigation systems, which are not yet addressed by current maritime safety and security standards and demand prompt response.
The memorandum establishes frameworks for collaboration in exchanging information, jointly developing a "White Paper" on current challenges in maritime safety and security, and organizing joint seminars, workshops, and research initiatives on the subject matter. One of the primary objectives of this cooperation under the memorandum is to develop proposals to improve the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which is part of the International Convention "SOLAS-74."
This memorandum also acknowledges the expertise of NU OLA scholars in legal issues related to maritime safety and security, particularly regarding the operation of Ukraine's maritime industry amid hybrid threats and armed conflicts.