Seaports of Ukraine handled 66.3 mln t of cargo in HI’17, up 5% Y-o-Y
In January-June 2017, cargo handling in the seaports of Ukraine has amounted to 66.3 million tons, which is 5% higher than the figures for the same period in 2016. This is evidenced by operational data of the USPA (Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority).
Transshipment of export cargoes at seaports of Ukraine has amounted to 50.9 million tons (an increase of 5.4% compared to similar indicators in 2016), import — 9.4 million tons (an increase of 17.6% from the data for 2016).
The structure of exports has traditionally shown an increase in transshipment of agro-sector products. This is grain — 19.6 million tons (+ 20%) and vegetable oils — 2.9 million tons (+ 33.8%). Transshipment indicators of products of the MMC of Ukraine were reduced; thus, the transshipment of metal products has amounted to 7 million tons (-15%), ore cargoes — 11.6 million tons (-8.6%).
The largest increase in the structure of imports is shown by coal, transshipment of which has amounted to 2.6 million tons (+ 41.5%). This is a perspective and strategic direction, because it is connected with ensuring the energy independence of the country. In addition, we can note the positive dynamics of the growth of import oil products, which is the result of the achieved intergovernmental agreements with Iran and Azerbaijan.
Transshipment of transit cargo has amounted to 5.3 million tons, which is 1.9% more than the previous year and is about 8% of the total volume of cargo handling. Almost twice the rates of transshipment of coal transit has increased, due to the attraction of cargo traffic to the Yuzhny seaport. The transfer of other cargo nomenclature remains at the level of 2016.
The cabotage transit has amounted to 0.6 million tons, which is 61.4% less in comparison with the same period in 2016. The main reason for reducing the level of this indicator is redirection of ore cargoes to the railway in connection with the restoration of the works at the site «Kamish-Zorya — Volnovaha».
The following ports have shown the largest volumes of cargo handling: Yuzhny port – 22.1 million tons (+ 7.3% compared to the same period last year), Odessa – 12.3 million tons (+ 5.6%), Nikolaev – 11.4 million tons (+ 6.3%). The largest increase was recorded in the stevedore seaport «Olvia», it has amounted to 35.2% with a total volume of 3.4 million tons.
Growth of transshipment is noted for almost all types of cargo. The total volume of bulk cargo handling has increased by 11.4%, amounting to 5.7 million tons. The total volume of dry cargo was 47.6 tons, which is 8.1% higher than last year's figures for the same period. Transshipment of containers has amounted to 300 thousand TEU, which is 6.2% more than in the previous year. Export containers handled 132.9 thousand TEU (+ 4.4%), import — 149.2 thousand TEU (+ 4.9%), transit — 17.8 thousand TEU (+ 38.9%), in cabotage — 0.8 thousand TEU (-17.6%).
During the reporting period, the seaports of Ukraine have processed 5 672 ships, which is 455 units or 7.4% less than in the same period in 2016.
«We state the steady growth of volumes of cargo handling in seaports since the beginning of 2017. Many factors contribute to this, in particular, the increase of grain exports, and coal imports. However, we plan to improve the transshipment rates by launching new investment projects, development and construction of new port facilities, dredging and reviewing of port dues. We expect that these measures will contribute to even greater growth dynamics», — said Raivis Veckagans the head of the USPA.
