Due to Russian military aggression, six seaports cannot accept and send cargo. Only Danube ports operate normally.
Yuriy Vaskov, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, informed about this at the Ukraine Media Center.
He reminded about the closure of ports in Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, Kherson due to the temporary occupation of cities by Russians.
“What concerns the ports of Pivdennyi, Mykolaiv, Olvia, Odesa, Chornomorsk and Belgorod-Dnistrovskyi, entry and exit of vessels from these ports has not been possible since February 24. Therefore, these ports operate only with cargo and fleet, which were already under operation on February 24, "Vaskov said. He added that this activity made up only about 20% of the activity in pre-war times.
The Danube ports Ust-Dunaisky, Izmail and Reni are operating normally. According to Yuri Vaskov, in peacetime more than 75% of the state's foreign trade was done through sea routes. More than 90% of the total turnover passed through the ports, which are now either closed or blocked. Danube ports are able to provide 10% of turnover, and the Ministry of Infrastructure is currently taking measures to increase their capacity.
"In April, compared to February, processing increased almost 4 times. In April, we processed 850 thousand tons for export and import. Agricultural goods made up about 450 thousand tons thereof. But compared to peacetime, it makes up no more than 15% of total turnover." – Mr. Vaskov informed. He mentioned that the capacity of Danube ports could be increased to 1 million tons per month. However, together with exports and imports across borders, this will make up only 35% of turnover from the availability of goods waiting to be shipped.
To remind, the US Navy is not going to take part in military operations in the Black Sea to unblock Ukrainian ports in cities occupied by the Russian army.