The Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant “Zaporizhstal” is carrying out systematic work to maintain and modernize its crane system and lifting equipment
According to the company’s press release, the reliable operation of this equipment is a key component of ensuring the continuity of production processes, employee safety, and the creation of comfortable working conditions.
It is noted that the plant operates 230 lifting mechanisms and 447 cranes. All equipment undergoes regular maintenance, repairs, and modernization with the implementation of modern solutions in the field of occupational health and safety.
“Today, the company is carrying out comprehensive work to maintain the crane fleet in good working order—from regular technical audits and timely detection of malfunctions to staff training and the implementation of modern safety standards. This approach ensures uninterrupted production operations and creates safer working conditions for our employees,” noted Kirill Gavrilyuk, Director of Occupational Health and Industrial Safety at Zaporizhstal.
It is also reported that in 2025, the company carried out a series of major overhauls of crane equipment with a total cost of over 13.6 million UAH. In particular, a major overhaul of the ore-handling gantry crane was carried out in the blast furnace shop. As part of the work, the crane and trolley travel mechanisms, as well as the grab lifting and closing mechanisms, were updated; the trolley rails were replaced; and the steel structures, electrical equipment, and safety devices were repaired.
In the slab mill section of the hot rolling shop, major repairs were performed on two grab cranes. The work involved repairing the main steel structures, the main hoisting mechanisms, control systems, electric motors, and electrical equipment.
In addition, the company allocated approximately UAH 170 million to maintain the equipment in good working order and perform routine repairs on the crane equipment.
In 2026, Zaporizhstal continues the systematic modernization of its crane fleet. Since the beginning of the year, 14 new industrial air conditioners have been installed on overhead and crane systems in the hot rolling shop, cold rolling shop, blast furnace shop, and open-hearth shop. To improve working conditions for crane operators, the company also purchased and installed modern anti-vibration seats, which help reduce the impact of vibration and prevent the development of occupational diseases.
In total, nearly 90 million UAH is allocated for maintenance and repairs of crane facilities in 2026.
Among the largest projects of the year is the overhaul of one of the gantry cranes in the hot rolling shop, with an investment of over 7 million UAH. The project involves a comprehensive upgrade of mechanical and electrical equipment, modernization of control systems, replacement of cables and wiring, and the completion of a full range of commissioning works.
In all structural units of the plant, material-handling cranes are equipped with audible alarms to warn employees of moving machinery. In the hot rolling shop, four cranes have additionally been fitted with a visual lighting system for the areas where loading and unloading operations take place. In the railway transport department, two cranes are equipped with an automated signaling system that prevents the mechanisms from starting without a warning signal. The combination of audible signals and visual indicators helps employees better navigate the crane operating area and significantly reduces production risks during loading and unloading operations.
Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are PJSC System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
crane fleet, METINVEST, MODERNIZATION, occupational safety, ZAPORIZHSTAL
In May 2026, the Export Credit Agency (ECA) supported exports by Ukrainian companies to the tune of 1.16 billion UAH.
According to the agency’s website, Ukrgasbank provided the largest volume of support in cooperation with partner banks, backing UAH 1.059 billion in exports.
The largest volume of supported exports came from enterprises in Kyiv (UAH 879.3 million) and Chernihiv (UAH 88.7 million) regions.
The main importing countries for products from Ukrainian manufacturers insured by ECA in May were the UAE (UAH 879.26 million), the Netherlands (UAH 154.19 million), Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—each with UAH 44.35 million.
In terms of sectoral structure, the largest shares were accounted for by milk processing and the production of butter and cheese, the cultivation of pome and stone fruits, the production of wallpaper, sawmilling and planing, and the production of industrial refrigeration and ventilation equipment.
ECA, EXPORTS, UAE, UKRGASBANK
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development has made the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure a priority to support the rapid growth in the number of private electric vehicles, Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach noted following his participation in the “Electro-Perspective 2026” forum, which took place in Kyiv this week.
“The private electric vehicle market has grown about 10-fold over the past 5 years. The network of electric charging stations is developing proportionally: by the end of last year, there were already 11,000 of them, although just a few years ago there were only 3,000,” he wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
“It is precisely the development of the electric charging infrastructure that motivates buyers to consider electric vehicles. And this is our priority,” Derkach emphasized.
He noted that the National Transport Strategy 2030 has identified the development of electric transport as one of its priorities. According to him, from the state’s perspective, this means increasing the share of electric vehicles while reducing the total number of cars by replacing them with public transportation for passenger transport in cities.
The Deputy Minister noted that the EU will not require a specific percentage of electric vehicles but will mandate the construction of parking spaces with electric charging infrastructure.
“These are long-term and costly projects that we are already beginning to work on. Ukraine has its own manufacturers of electric charging stations. However, their number does not meet the demand. For example, we have one electric charging station for nearly 33 electric vehicles. In European countries, there are up to 10 vehicles per station,” Derkach described the situation.
He noted that the Ministry of Development has already drafted a Concept for the Development of Electric Transport in Ukraine, which will be submitted to the government for review in the near future.
electric charging stations, electric transport, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, INFRASTRUCTURE
In January–May 2026, Ukraine cut imports of lead and lead products by 71.9% compared to the same period last year, down to $958,000.
In May, imports of lead and lead products amounted to $199,000.
At the same time, exports of lead and lead products in January–May of this year increased by 4.9% compared to the same period last year—to $3.818 million. In May, $891,000 worth of lead was exported.
As reported, Ukraine increased imports of lead and lead products by 3.3 times in 2025, reaching $7.801 million. Exports of lead and lead products last year decreased by 17.8%, to $9.377 million.
Lead is currently used primarily in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry. In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
Ukraine is rapidly increasing its exports of frozen raspberries, blackberries, and other berries: their value rose from $53.4 million in 2023 to $114.6 million in 2024 and $176.4 million in 2025, according to a study of Ukraine’s berry and nut sector presented at the forum “Development of Exports in Ukraine’s Berry and Nut Sector” in Kyiv last week.
According to Olga Gvozdeva, advisor to the director of the State Agency “Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development,” the main markets for these products are Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and France, reported a correspondent for the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
According to the study, exports of fresh berries—blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries—declined to $22.4 million in 2025 after growing from $16.8 million in 2023 to $27.9 million in 2024. The main buyers remain the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Moldova.
According to the study, exports of shelled walnuts, after increasing from $68.1 million in 2023 to $82 million in 2024, fell to $61.9 million in 2025. The largest buyers of this product were France and the Netherlands.
Exports of walnuts in shell also declined—from $8.6 million in 2024 to $5.5 million in 2025, with Iraq remaining the main market, the document states.
“After a decline in 2022, we are now gradually catching up to previous levels,” Gvozdeva noted.
The study of Ukraine’s berries and nuts sector was prepared by the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development based on data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the State Customs Service of Ukraine, and FAOSTAT.
GEOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF UKRAINE’S FOREIGN TRADE (TRADE VOLUME) IN JANUARY-DECEMBER 2025, MLN. USD
