NIBULON Receives New Funds from DEG Impulse gGmbH to Expand Maritime Demining in Ukraine

NIBULON has launched a new stage of its humanitarian demining initiative by signing a €7.8 million funding agreement with the German organization DEG Impulse gGmbH under the develoPPP program. This phase of the partnership focuses on maritime and inland water demining – a critical step in ensuring food security, economic recovery of the agricultural sector, and logistical resilience in southern Ukraine.

The initiative provides funding for the launch of an innovative 90-meter maritime platform capable of performing deep-water clearance operations using modern unmanned underwater systems – including ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles), and other UUS (Unmanned Underwater Systems). The platform’s operations will be fully integrated into NIBULON’s broader humanitarian demining ecosystem, which includes clearing of agricultural land, establishing a technical service center, and deploying mobile rapid-response infrastructure.

The platform will be constructed at NIBULON’s own shipbuilding and repair yard – currently the only operational shipyard in Ukraine. With in-house production capacity, the company ensures a full cycle of development: from engineering and construction to technical outfitting and commissioning.

“We are proud to continue our strategic partnership with DEG Impulse. This new phase not only enhances our technical capabilities but also demonstrates how Ukrainian businesses can lead in addressing the consequences of war and driving economic recovery. The fact that the develoPPP program has selected NIBULON for the second time is a strong signal of recognition of our company as a socially responsible business making a real impact on Ukraine’s economy and global food security,” said Oleksandr Dolzhenkov, Director of Government Relations at NIBULON.

Expected Social and Economic Impact of the Project:

• Demining of over 10 km² of the Black Sea and inland waterways in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions – crucial for safe grain export and navigation;
• Clearance of an additional 13,600+ hectares of agricultural land;
• Improved living conditions for over 3,000 people, particularly in coastal communities;
• Safe return to land use for more than 200 farming households;
• Annual production of over 70,000 tonnes of high-quality grain;
• Creation of new jobs and training of over 60 specialists – including deminers, operators, and divers.

This project also strengthens Ukraine’s broader security infrastructure, building long-term capacities for clearance operations, land restoration, and safe disposal of explosive remnants. The shore-based facility, certified according to IMAS (International Mine Action Standards), will support underwater drones and marine equipment, while also providing vessel maintenance and repairs.

Background

DEG Impulse is a 100 % non-profit subsidiary of the German Development Finance Institution DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and as such part of the KfW Banking Group. DEG Impulse promotes the sustainable transition of the private sector in developing and emerging-market countries and supports development policy goals as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals.

During the ongoing war in Ukraine, DEG Impulse’s support has extended far beyond NIBULON’s activities, reaching thousands of Ukrainian humanitarian demining beneficiaries – including farmers, landowners, and rural communities – thus contributing to the economic resilience of the entire nation.

NIBULON is a leading Ukrainian agricultural producer and exporter with 100% Ukrainian capital. In April 2023, the company received official status as a Humanitarian Demining Operator. Since then, it has:

• Established a dedicated professional demining unit;
• Built a fleet of specialized demining machinery;
• Obtained certification for all five stages of demining;
• Cleared and returned 7,300 hectares of farmland to productive use;
• Enabled over 560 landowners to resume receiving rent payments – often their only source of income in rural areas.

The first grant of €4.8 million under the develoPPP funding program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) was awarded to NIBULON in September 2023, enabling procurement of specialized demining machinery to support technical land clearance.

Tags: Nibulon, demining