The undermining of the Kakhovka HPP poses no threat to shipping in the Danube region and the ports of Greater Odessa – Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority

The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority sees no direct threat to shipping in the ports of the Danube region and Greater Odessa due to the undermining of the Kakhovka HPP, but will monitor the safety of shipping and prevent ecological and technological problems together with local authorities.

This was announced by Yuriy Lytvyn, Head of the department, during a meeting with the European Business Association (EBA).

According to his information, the USPA is experiencing difficulties in fulfilling one of Ukraine's main duties – the Grain Initiative – due to the blockade by russia of the operation of large ports.

At the same time, Lytvyn noted an increase in the volumes of cargo handling in the ports of the Danube region, which was being overseen by the USPA.

"Record cargo handling volumes are currently being recorded – over 11.5 million tons. Such figures were achieved thanks to the commissioning of new berths, mastering additional and optimizing the work of already existing cargo flows," he explained.

According to Lytvyn, the USPA plans to construct new storage areas and reconstruct the M-15 highway, increase the number of ship pilots, warehouses and anchorage places in the Danube region to accelerate ship movement and increase cargo handling efficiency.

The head of the USPA reported that, within the framework of port sector development, optimization of assets not related to the core activities of the ports is also being carried out. Assets are being transferred to local or central government bodies to free the USPA from non-core functions and reallocate financial resources for infrastructure development. This approach, in the opinion of the USPA management, will contribute to improving financial efficiency.

According to Lytvyn, investments in the ports of the Danube region over the past year amounted to more than $97 million, and this year they are expected to increase to $120 million. Negotiations are ongoing with potential investors within the concession of the Chornomorsk port regarding the container terminal and the ferry complex. As for other concessions – the privatization process of the Stevedoring Company DP Maritime Trade Port Ust-Dunaysk and the privatization of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi sea trade port based on public-private partnership continues.