Since it began operating in August 2023, the Ukrainian maritime corridor has transported 200 million tons of cargo, of which 118 million tons is Ukrainian grain, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration – Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Kuleba reported on social media.
According Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba, since the beginning of this year alone, “almost 35 million tons of cargo have already been transported” through the corridor. “Ukrainian products have reached 56 countries around the world.”
“Behind every figure is the complex work of Ukrainian ports, sailors, logisticians, railway workers, farmers, and everyone who ensures the functioning of our economy every day despite the war. After all, the enemy continues systematic attacks on our logistics infrastructure. In April of this year alone, more than 500 drone attacks were recorded. Ports were under fire practically every other day,” Mr. Kuleba stressed.
He added: “Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 935 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged or partially destroyed, 191 civilian vessels have been affected, and 255 people have been injured.
“Despite this, the Ukrainian maritime corridor is working. It remains one of the key tools for supporting the state’s economy, ensuring exports, and is an important contribution by Ukraine to global food security.”
“The Ukrainian maritime corridor remains a key element of the national economy,” said Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. “The state, together with industry experts, continues to work on strengthening the protection of port infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted logistics operations.”
A total of more than 7,800 vessels is reported to have used the corridor, which follows the coastline to the west to reach Romania and then cross the Black Sea.
The bulk of the cargo moves through the three ports that comprise the Great Odesa district. Ukraine’s GMK Center also reports that over 8.9 million tons of cargo were handled last year through the Danube ports of Izmail, Reni, and Ust-Dunaysk. The primary commodity continues to be grain, but the ports also handle raw materials and metal products.
(Photo of Port of Odesa)