The MedCruise General Assembly from Odessa has zeroed in on cruise traffic in the Black Sea, with the Europa 2 calling in the Ukraine port and a year forecast with just five ships.

The decision to host the event in Odessa is also a showcase of the city aimed at the cruise lines.

Of course, executives and ports at the event attributed the decrease in Black Sea deployment to the political and safety concerns in the area.

MedCruise President Kristijan Pavic, added that the association was not of a political institution, and that it aimed to develop all member ports.

Of note is a new member for MedCruise, the Port of Varna, Bulgaria, in the Black Sea, adding another unique offering in the area.