Sea ports have reached their highest cargo handling volume in the last five months.

Ukraine's seaports recorded a 60% increase in cargo transshipment in October 2024 compared to the same month last year, reaching 8 million tons. This figure is reported by the State Enterprise "Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine" (AMPU).

Export agricultural and ore cargoes accounted for 80% of the cargo flow. "In October, the volume of grain cargo transshipment amounted to 5 million tons, exceeding last year's figure by 1.5 million tons. Remarkable dynamics were also demonstrated by ore cargoes, reaching 1.4 million tons, which is more than double the result of October 2023," notes AMPU.

Thus, the seaports achieved the highest monthly cargo turnover since May 2024, when the transshipment figure was 8.3 million tons. Compared to September of this year, cargo turnover increased by 12.7%.

In the previous month, 6.8 million tons of cargo were transported through the Ukrainian maritime corridor. "Of this, 4.5 million tons were grain, highlighting Ukraine's importance in supporting global food security," the report states.

According to updated data from AMPU, cargo turnover from January to October 2024 increased by 79% compared to the same period last year, or by 36.2 million tons, reaching 82.3 million tons.

As of November 5, over 80 million tons of cargo have been transported through the Ukrainian corridor, including 53.5 million tons of exported agricultural products (66.9% of the cargo flow). Approximately 3,000 vessels have passed through the corridor.

"The results achieved are a testament to the professionalism and dedication of all employees in the port sector, who ensure the uninterrupted operation of our ports despite the challenging conditions of wartime. This also reflects the trust of international partners in Ukraine's maritime export potential," commented AMPU head Yuriy Lytvyn on the achieved indicators.

Last month, the aggressor country intensified attacks on the infrastructure of the seaports. Several strikes were carried out on the ports of Greater Odesa, resulting in casualties and injuries. At the end of the month, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development announced the implementation of additional security measures for workers in the ports.

Currently, cargo transshipment is carried out by six seaports, including the ports of Greater Odesa (Pivdennyi, Chornomorsk, Odesa) and the ports of the Danube cluster (Izmail, Reni, Ust-Dunaisk).

The opening of the Ukrainian maritime corridor in August 2023 was a significant event in the maritime industry. The shipping route from the ports of Greater Odesa passes through the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey to the Bosphorus. The launch of the corridor unblocked the activities of three deep-water Odesa ports. As a result, six seaports last year ensured over 40% of the total pre-war cargo turnover, processing nearly 62 million tons of cargo compared to 59 million tons in 2022.

Background. In September 2024, seaports more than doubled increased cargo transshipment compared to the same month last year, reaching 7.1 million tons. Grain transshipment amounted to 4.1 million tons compared to 2.3 million tons the previous year, and ore transshipment was 1.3 million tons compared to 249 thousand tons last year.