Companies from the TOP-20 world port operators are interested in a concession in Chornomorsk, — Ministry of Development

Ukraine has completed the prequalification stage for the concession of terminals in the seaport of Chornomorsk.

This was announced by the Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Alena Shkrum.

Ukrainian and international investors, including representatives of leading global port operators, have been admitted to the next stage of the competition. The selected companies will proceed to a competitive dialogue, during which the final proposals of the participants will be formed.

According to Alena Shkrum, “global companies, including players from the TOP-20 global port operators,” have shown interest in the project.

The list and even the exact number of participants are not disclosed in the department, explaining this by the need to protect competition and minimize external influence.

All applicants undergo a security check, in particular for the presence of ties with the Russian Federation or other unfriendly states, as well as an analysis of the ownership structure and beneficiaries. Relevant agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine, are involved in the process.

The container terminal, which includes six deep-water berths, infrastructure, buildings, equipment and land plots, is planned to be transferred to the concession.

According to the Ministry of Development, in 2008 the port handled 540 thousand TEU and occupied about half of the Ukrainian container transportation market. Currently, there is no container turnover, and for 2019-2023, losses exceeded UAH 262 million.

The terms of the concession provide for the minimum obligations of the investor: processing at least 250 thousand containers each year, an additional 3 million tons of other cargo, as well as at least $50 million in investments during the first five years and regular concession payments.

After the completion of the competitive dialogue stage, the participants will submit final proposals, the results of which will determine the winner of the competition.

Earlier, USM reported that the competition for the concession of the terminals of the port of Chornomorsk has moved to the stage of dialogue with investors.