Since the beginning of the operation of the temporary sea corridor, almost 1.5 million tons of various cargoes have been exported from the ports of Great Odesa. This was announced by the Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukrinform reports.
"The number one condition for the recovery of the economy is the ability to export through the deep-sea ports of the Black Sea. From the moment Russia left the grain agreement, we started working on a new alternative corridor. We already have the first results — almost 1.5 million metric tons were exported," Kubrakov said. at the sixth German-Ukrainian economic forum on Tuesday, October 24.
The minister noted that from August 2022 to July 2023, when the Black Sea Grain Initiative was operating under the auspices of the UN, 32.9 million tons of agricultural products were delivered to the countries of Africa, Asia and Europe. To fulfill a larger volume, it is necessary to focus on export logistics.
The Danube has a very important function. When the ports of Great Odesa were not working, he took over almost 50% of all export and import volumes. This is our great alternative route. About 85% of the Dnipro locks are in a critical state, and therefore the need for capital investments for modernization is $165 million," said Kubrakov.
At the beginning of August 2023, the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced new temporary routes for the movement of civilian vessels to/from the Black Sea seaports of Ukraine. As of October 23, a total of 46 ships with a total deadweight of 1.831 million tons passed through the temporary corridor in the Black Sea, of which 25 left loaded and successfully completed the return journey.
This route was also initially used by five ships that were blocked in Ukrainian seaports after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.