Danube ports need $120 million in investment, — Kubrakov

The investment needs of Ukrainian ports on the Danube are at least 120 million dollars.

Danube ports are a stable route for exporting products. Last year, more than 16 million tons of cargo passed through them, including products of Ukrainian farmers.

This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, the Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, Oleksandr Kubrakov .

This year, Ukraine plans to process at least 20 million tons through the Danube. Despite the fact that today the ports of Izmail, Reni, Ust-Dunaisk have used almost all available capacity for transshipment of cargo, there is potential for further development. In particular, it is about modernization and renewal of port infrastructure, attraction of investments for the construction of new terminals and dredging.

The need for investments for Ukrainian ports on the Danube is at least 120 million dollars, the minister noted.

“Dredging works have already started – all passport characteristics of ports and canals have been restored. Currently, the draft is 6.5 m. In the sea ports of Izmail and Reni, the necessary infrastructure has been prepared and transshipment of new cargo flows – containers, bulk, grain and other cargoes – has been organized,” Kubrakov clarified.

The railway connection between the Berezino and Basarabyaska section has also been restored, which allows cargo to be delivered to the ports relatively quickly. Work continues on the connection between the Giurgiulesti point on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border and the Romanian port of Galati.

Also, during the meeting, Oleksandr Kubrakov together with American and European partners discussed the first results of the launch of additional port capacities:

• operation of more than 20 new sea terminals;

• new transshipment technologies using floating cranes, mobile transloaders, storage vessels as floating warehouses, and other means;

• use of new temporary warehouses equipped with scales and laboratories.

Previously, USM reported that recently the US Ambassador in Ukraine Bridget Brink visited the Danube ports of Reni and Izmail. One of the goals of her visit is to discuss targeted USAID investments and private sector investments in strategic areas of the Ukrainian economy.

Read also: Development of Danube ports: Kubrakov held a meeting with the President of the EBRD