Despite increased shelling, challenging logistics and reduced production volumes, Ukrainian seaports handled 6 million tons of goods in April. The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA).
Traditionally, most shipments consisted of grain (3.1 million tons) and ores (1 million tons).
Last month, a total of 5.3 million tons of goods were shipped via the Ukrainian maritime corridor, including 2.9 million tons of agricultural products.
According to the USPA, most freight volumes were handled by the Odesa region’s ports. In April, Pivdennyi Port transshipped 2.4 million tons of goods, Chornomorsk Port – 1.8 million tons and Odesa Port – 1 million tons. The Danube region’s ports (Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk) handled about 800,000 tons in total.
As noted by USPA Deputy Head Viacheslav Kharkavenko, despite a number of serious challenges, such as reduced crop fields due to the large-scale war, some areas being rigged with explosives or temporarily occupied, a decline in the manufacturing industry (namely metallurgy, which used to export 80% of products prior to the war), Ukrainian seaports are maintaining operational stability even amid the extremely high risks.
“Additionally, the spring period is traditionally notable for decreased agricultural exports, whose volumes begin to grow from mid-summer. Despite the above challenges, Ukrainian ports continue to perform their functions and remain an important pillar of the country’s economy,” Kharkavenko concluded. (Ukrinform)