Water Transport
Ukraine’s water transport sector encompasses a network of river and seaport facilities, along with supporting infrastructure critical to the functioning of the country’s export-import activities. A key competitive advantage is that all ports along the Black Sea coastline operate in warm waters, ensuring year-round access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Since 2022, Ukraine’s port infrastructure has sustained significant damage, estimated at USD 0.85 bln as of winter 2024. These losses include damage to both seaports and inland water transport facilities. Additionally, the country’s waterways have been contaminated with explosive remnants of war. For instance, following the terrorist act of blowing up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, large quantities of unexploded shells and ammunition have been discovered in the waters of the Dnipro River, Southern Bug, and maritime routes, making navigation through the Dnipro impossible. Over 14,000 km² of Ukraine’s waters now require demining.
Despite these challenges, in August 2023, Ukraine achieved a significant milestone by opening a new maritime route in the Black Sea for commercial shipping, thanks to the success of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This new route allowed for the transportation of a broader range of goods compared to the suspended grain corridor.
The key priorities for the development of Ukraine’s water transport sector include:
– Demining the Black Sea and river routes.
– Restoring operations at ports.
– Modernizing the shipbuilding industry, which holds strategic importance for the country’s economy.