Since August 2023, the sea corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy has exported almost 22 million tons of products, and the volume can be increased by another quarter, said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine, following his visits to the Black Sea ports.
“More than 22 million tons of cargo of various types have been exported since the start of the temporary corridor through the Black Sea, which is known worldwide as the Ukrainian Corridor. More than 700 vessels have used it since August,” Kubrakov wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
The deputy prime minister noted that transshipment is carried out from three ports of Greater Odesa – Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi. On Saturday night, they were once again attacked by Russian drones. “Unfortunately, we have damaged the transshipment infrastructure and destroyed grain,” Kubrakov said.
According to him, since July 18 (the last day of the grain corridor), Russian attacks on Ukrainian seaports have damaged almost 200 port infrastructure facilities and injured more than 26 civilians.
“At the same time, port workers are recovering quite quickly. Today I saw it with my own eyes. Moreover, they are increasing transshipment volumes every day. This, as well as the prospects for their operation, were discussed at meetings in three key ports of Ukraine,” the Vice Prime Minister said.
He noted that more than 22 million tons in six months is not the limit. Modernization of both the ports themselves and the accompanying infrastructure, such as the road and rail networks, with proper security, will increase the volume by at least a quarter, Kubrakov assured. He announced on February 3 that exports via the new sea corridor had reached almost 20 million tons. According to him, 661 vessels left the ports then.
