Cargo handling at the ports of Great Odesa has fallen more than 15 times since July

Since July, cargo handling volumes in the ports of Great Odesa have decreased by more than 15 times against the backdrop of systematic Russian attacks on port infrastructure.

This was announced by the Minister of Infrastructure Mykola Kalashnyk following a meeting in Odesa on the operation of the sea corridor, logistics stability and shipping safety.

According to him, in total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has damaged or partially destroyed 1,173 port infrastructure facilities and 274 civilian vessels.

Ports, berths, vessels, anchorages and routes of approach to ports are under attack. The reduction in transshipment directly affects Ukrainian exports, the cost of logistics and food supplies.

During the meeting, representatives of the government, the Navy and Air Force, the Odesa Regional Military Administration, the USPA, Ukrzaliznytsia, the Shipping Administration, the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, and the port business discussed the protection of people, vessels, and infrastructure, insurance, compensation for losses, and financial conditions for the operation of ports.

Kalashnyk noted that the state is also looking for alternative routes for cargo, primarily via the railway and Danube ports.

Zelenskyy previously warned of a global food crisis due to the blockade of the Black Sea.