Ukraine to resume Ro-Ro and container shipping – March 2024

While Ukraine has managed to expand throughput via its sea harbours to 75% of pre-war levels, further growth is hindered by reduced production volumes.

With its Black Sea ports under threat from Russia’s navy and its western borders blocked by farmers from Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries, Ukraine has developed a new long-term transport and logistics strategy to address these challenges. Kyiv plans to relaunch the ferry service connecting its Black Sea port of Chornomorsk with ports in Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, alongside container lines, according to Yuriy Vaskov, Ukraine’s deputy minister for infrastructure development. “We’re exploring all options. While I anticipate the ferry service will commence operations later than container services, we aim for a launch this spring,” Vaskov stated. Vaskov’s ministry has identified potential ship owners and carriers willing to facilitate motor and rail ferry services.

Container handling

Meanwhile, all five container terminals at Ukrainian ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenny are prepared to resume container handling. Although these terminals have primarily handled Ukraine’s agri and bulk exports, containers are now considered a priority cargo, as per the deputy minister’s remarks. The resumption of container operations will be phased, starting with feeder vessels and progressing to regular lines. Additionally, container services have already linked the Ukrainian Danube ports of Reni and Izmail with ports in Romania and Turkey. Ukraine’s naval forces recently approved the 24/7 operation of a maritime corridor, granting access to key domestic harbours in Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenny.

This move is expected to increase cargo exports through these ports by at least 20%. From August 2023 to early March this year, Ukraine exported approximately 33 million metric tons of various cargoes via sea routes, a significant portion of which passed through these ports.

Reduced production volumes

While Ukraine has managed to expand throughput via its sea harbours to 75% of pre-war levels, further growth is hindered by reduced production volumes resulting from Russia’s invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk, Pivdenny, and Ukraine’s Danube region now handle 90% of the country’s foreign trade.

In February alone, Kyiv exported 8 million metric tons of cargo, including 5.2 million metric tons of food commodities, marking a record volume since Moscow’s full-scale aggression began. Although the ports’ role in handling imports has been minor, they have the potential for volume growth, according to Vaskov. Moreover, with overland borders blockaded, the significance of seaports has increased. To ensure smooth operations, Kyiv is in talks with international insurers regarding planned container transportation insurance. However, ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian transport infrastructure continue to disrupt port operations.