Project History

Today, KHUB MBL is an international non-profit initiative that brings together speakers, experts, professionals, lecturers, and students from different countries across the world.

The topics of our events cover every aspect shaping the modern transport industry:
maritime business (shipping, freight brokerage, forwarding, ship agency), port infrastructure, trading, and the legal, financial, and insurance aspects of the sector, as well as the yachting industry.

The history of KHUB MBL began in 2015 at the Odessa National Maritime University (ONMU) in Ukraine.

At that time, the Department of Port Operations and Cargo Handling Technology initiated an ambitious idea – to involve industry practitioners, employers, experts, and company executives in the educational process.

Not for formality or financial reward, but on the basis of partnership and a genuine desire to support young people.


The goal was both simple and profound: to give students access to practical knowledge, real experience, and inspiration that could truly change their lives.

Within the framework of the educational program “Organization of Transport Operations and Management in Transport” (specialization 275 “Transport Technologies”), a series of social and educational initiatives was launched that gradually grew into a movement:

• “A Graduate to a Freshman: What I Would Tell Myself at 17” – a social and motivational project about experience, self-confidence, and the path of professional growth, which became a dialogue between generations.
• “Thematic Lectures and Master Classes by Industry Practitioners” – meetings that introduced students to the real world of logistics and shipping.
• “Meetings with Employers and Representatives of the Transport Community” – events that helped students discover career opportunities, find inspiration, and establish valuable professional connections.

These initiatives allowed students to see the industry from within, explore its different dimensions, understand the challenges they may face, and learn how to overcome them.
Speakers proudly shared their personal stories and company experiences, while students gained confidence, motivation, and clear directions for their future careers.

In 2023, the initiative reached a new level with the launch of a large-scale social and educational project:
“Synergy of Knowledge and Experience in Transport Business and Logistics.”

Eight Ukrainian universities joined the project, including:

• Odessa National Maritime University (ONMU)
• State University of Infrastructure and Technologies (SUIT)
• Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport (USURT)
• National Transport University (NTU)

Over the course of a month, numerous lectures and workshops were held with the participation of professors, students, alumni, and professionals from the real sector.
All participants received academic mobility certificates signed by the rectors of the participating universities.
The project united over 1,000 participants across Ukraine and became an annual event.

The experience gained laid the foundation for the creation of a new-generation international social and educational project – Knowledge Hub in Maritime Business and Logistics (KHUB MBL).

Today, it is no longer just a series of events but a platform and professional community that connects talents, knowledge, experts, and future leaders of the maritime business from around the world.

Our speakers become true mentors, supporting students in the early stages of their careers, helping them unlock their potential, inviting them for internships, and sometimes even offering employment opportunities.

It inspires. It enriches. It transforms.

And this is the very mission, heart, and essence of the Knowledge Hub in Maritime Business and Logistics.