According to the Sea Ports Administration of Ukraine, in the first quarter of 2025, Ukrainian ports processed a total of 23 million tons of cargo.
Breakthrough in the Greater Odessa Region
The ports of the Greater Odessa region have been at the forefront of this achievement, handling a combined total of 20.7 million tons of cargo since the start of the year. The breakdown of cargo volumes in this region is as follows:
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Port of Pivdenny: 10.6 million tons
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Port of the Black Sea: 6.6 million tons
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Port of Odessa: 3.5 million tons
In addition to these, the ports in the Danube region—Izmail, Reni, and Ust-Dunaysk—together processed over 2.3 million tons of cargo.
Comparing to the Previous Year
For context, Ukrainian ports processed 27.8 million tons of cargo during the first quarter of 2024, which is approximately 4.8 million tons more than in the same period of 2025. The decline in cargo turnover reflects several factors affecting the Ukrainian economy, including:
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Reduction in Agricultural Land: Lowered agricultural production has contributed to a decrease in cargo volumes.
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Decline in Export-Oriented Industries: Sectors such as metallurgy, which previously exported up to 80% of their products, have experienced significant downturns.
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Global Market Instability: On a broader scale, international cargo transshipment has also decreased due to logistical disruptions and market uncertainty.
Calls for Restoring Port Operations
Amid these challenges, industry bodies such as the European Banking Authority (EBA) have called on the Ukrainian government to restore and enhance the operation of additional strategic ports, such as Mykolaiv, to further boost the country’s export capacity and stabilize cargo turnover.
Conclusion
Even as Ukraine faces economic headwinds and the ongoing impact of conflict-related challenges, the ports of Greater Odessa have demonstrated resilience by processing over 20 million tons of cargo in the first quarter of 2025. While overall cargo turnover has seen a decline compared to the previous year, these figures reflect both the effectiveness of Ukraine’s port operations under pressure and the pressing need for reforms in export-oriented industries. As stakeholders work to address the underlying causes of the slowdown, restoring broader and more consistent port operations remains a key priority for ensuring economic stability and growth.
