In the end of May 2019 containerised cargo handling in Ukrainian ports exceeded 5M t being almost by 19% more than the same period of the last year. The boxes throughput growth has been observed in Ukrainian ports for the recent three years and goes on the current year. Is it enough for establishment of the Black Sea container hub in Ukraine?
This issue as well as the market’s main trends were considered by representatives of major international logistic companies and container lines at Ukrainian Ports Forum 2019 in Odessa, as reports the Press Office of USPA.
As of today, specialised container and grain terminals develop the most dynamically in Ukrainian ports. “Now USPA along with two major international companies – the French-based CMA CGM and German HHLA – realise in Odessa port investment projects aimed at enlargement of their container terminals’ capacities and enhancement of the berths’ technical parameters to handle box carriers. In accordance with Ukrainian Sea Ports Development Strategy, up to 2038 the transhipment of containers should raise more than twice and approach 2M TEU”, commented the ports operation results the head of USPA Raivis Veckagans.
Participants of Ukrainian Ports Forum 2019 observed that Ukraine has large potential for container cargo handling. As key recommendations towards this sector’s development they mentioned urgent simplification of port and customs formalities, as well as energetic implementation of modern software solutions in this field. Selecting a route potential customers take into account speed and ease of formal procedures at every link of the logistic chain, as well as availability of a well-developed transport network including road and rail transport. This would help not only keep the positive trend of handling increase observed since 2018, but also considerably strengthen it.
Development of the transport infrastructure in Ukraine may become that very key factor to assist attracting companies now employing more westward routes to deliver goods, say, from China to Europe. The improvement of infrastructure has also to consider availability of transit points, e.g. dry ports, at the boundaries with Belarus, Romania, Poland, and other countries where container terminal operators could work.
To the opinion of Irenea Villar Carrillo, Head of Procurement, South Europe Liner Operations, Maersk, the positive dynamics now shown by Ukrainian ports in containers handling along with the economy stabilisation and increase of customer demand create prerequisites for establishment of a container hub in the eastern part of the Black Sea. Development of terminal capacities in Odessa port and successful operation of specialised complexes in Pivdenny (Yuzhny) and Chornomorsk also favour that, as noted Executive Director of Cosco Shipping Lines Ukraine Mr Wang Xinliang.
Nevertheless, as per experts’ view, there exists a number of restraining factors, too. Thus, President of HHLA Philip Sweens pointed out that formation of a regional transit centre in Ukraine is hampered by the political instability and insufficient development of the railway infrastructure. Also, by his mind, the containerisation level of grain – the basic export from Ukrainian ports – could be much larger. Managing Director of Mediterranean Shipping Company Ukraine Rachid Bouda draw the audience’s attention to the existing limitations of large tonnage traffic via Bosporus Strait as well as the availability of relevant cargo flows in Ukrainian ports as a must to operate as a hub.
Summing up the discussion, Mr Wolfgang Hurtienne, a member of the USPA Supervisory Board, the World Bank expert on port infrastructure development, mentioned that USPA is already carrying out the work on most of the problem issues indicated with support by the state, stevedores, and other companies responsible for the development of transport infrastructure at the national level. Further rise of Ukrainian port’s competitiveness should reinforce their positions in the Black and Azov Sea region.
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