Qatar Returns to Mykolaiv: Olvia Port Concession Project Back on Track
Ukraine and Qatari company QTerminals have confirmed plans to resume one of the country’s first major concession projects — the modernization of the specialized seaport Olvia in Mykolaiv. The revival of investments will begin after the new Law on Public-Private Partnership comes into force in October 2025, providing more flexible terms for such projects during wartime.
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, LLC QTerminals Olvia, and QTerminals have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding that sets the groundwork for restarting the concession agreement.
Olvia Port was transferred to QTerminals Olvia in August 2020 under a 35-year concession, requiring mandatory investment in port and city infrastructure, job preservation, and regular state payments. The project was suspended after the full-scale Russian invasion.
The updated legal framework will allow concession agreements to be adapted in cases of force majeure — including suspending their validity, adjusting financial terms, and regulating employee-related issues.
The memorandum was signed by Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba, QTerminals Olvia Director Ruslan Oleinyk, and Acting QTerminals CEO Charles Meebee, with First Deputy Minister Alyona Shkrum also in attendance.
“Attracting foreign investment, especially from a partner like Qatar, is critically important for economic recovery, particularly for the Mykolaiv region, which has suffered significantly from Russian aggression,” said Kashuba.
The government views the return of Qatari investment not only as an economic boost but also as a strategic signal to the world about Ukraine’s resilience and its capacity to restore critical infrastructure. Port concessions are seen as a vital mechanism for attracting private capital to modernize the country’s logistics hubs — a key element of post-war reconstruction.
