On 6 March 2026, Hillmont Partners hosted an international expert discussion in Odesa on defence technology solutions to protect business assets in maritime and coastal infrastructure. The event was organised for delegates of the UK-Netherlands trade mission to Odesa and brought together C-level executives from leading UK and Dutch companies specialising in defence, naval technology, and security.
The discussion also included representatives of Ukrainian defence tech companies and businesses operating in the transport and logistics sectors.
The trade mission was facilitated by ADS Group, the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security, and space. Participating companies explored opportunities to support Ukraine’s maritime capabilities and related infrastructure. The mission was supported by the UK Government, including the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business and Trade .
The discussion was moderated by Ivan Kovalenko, Partner and Head of the Odesa office of Hillmont Partners. Participants discussed expanding the use of defence technologies to protect businesses operating in the region’s port infrastructure, transport, logistics, and energy sectors.
Serhii Kononenko, Director, and Liudmyla Shevchenko, Head of the Investment Office at the Regional Development Agency of the Odesa Region, presented the region’s Investment Passport and highlighted recent initiatives to modernise infrastructure, expand production capabilities, and introduce innovations in the transport and energy sectors.
Vadym Gushchin of Lavanda Terminal, one of Ukraine’s largest grain hubs, shared his team’s experience managing operations under the constant threat of attacks and the resulting impact on staff safety and business continuity. Kyryl Stukalov presented developments by Smart War Technology, highlighting electronic warfare systems already deployed to protect Ukrainian industrial assets.
Participants agreed that in high-risk maritime environments such as the Black Sea region, investment in defence technology is no longer optional, but a commercial necessity. Customised defence technology solutions help ensure business continuity, trade stability, and investor confidence.
