By KYIV. Dec 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The expected annual cargo turnover of Ukrainian seaports in 2022 will be 50.8 million tonnes, which is 66.7% less than in 2021, Oleksiy Vostrikov, the head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA), said.
"At the same time, the expected transshipment of the Danube ports will increase several times compared to last year, including Izmail – more than twice, up to 8.6 million tonnes, Reni – five times, up to 6.9 million tonnes, the port of Ust-Dunaisk – 12.2 times, up to 783,000 tonnes," he said.
Summing up the work of Odesa ports, Vostrikov stressed that in 2022 the port of Odesa will reduce the cargo turnover by almost three times – to 7.7 million tonnes, the port of Chornomorsk – by 2.2 times, to 11.7 million tonnes, Pivdenny – by 3.5 times, to 15.2 million tonnes.
He noted the main activity of his department in 2022 is the development of the Danube region as the main stable route for Ukrainian exports and imports of goods by sea, as well as participation in international events to address issues of the port industry in the conditions of war and the blocking of most Ukrainian ports.
Vostrikov pointed to ongoing dredging projects in the Danube ports. According to him, from May to November, operational dredging in the water area of Izmail seaport was carried out by the USPA with the direct participation of the Dredging Fleet branch. As of December 1, dredging has been completed. The total volume was about 710,000 cubic meters.
From August to the present, operational dredging has been carried out in the water area of Reni seaport, the head added. According to him, the approximate volume of dredging will be about 100,000 cubic meters. The planned completion date is the second quarter of 2023.
In addition, Vostrikov said that the total damage to USPA due to the war is about UAH 14 billion.
"The USPA has been constantly monitoring and accounting for all objects damaged during shelling since February 24. Today, there are about 50 objects in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. Some of them have already been restored. The total damage is about UAH 14 billion," stated the head of the USPA.
