Container traffic on the Black Sea is growing
17.01.2025 - 18:04
The Black Sea container terminals of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine handled 979,000 TEU in the first nine months of 2024, including empty containers and transhipment.
This is 14% more than in the same period in 2023, Informall BG analysts reported.
The turnover of loaded containers increased in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine, with Ukraine achieving the highest growth rate of 79%.
During this period, 53% of all containers handled were imported, and 47% were exported. The share of loaded containers was estimated at 77%, and empty containers at 22%.
Import volumes to the above-mentioned countries increased by 19% compared to 2023. Ukraine showed the largest increase in import volumes – 116%, which is a record growth rate.
Romania saw a 23% increase, while Bulgaria saw a decline of around 3%. Exports from these countries increased by almost 10%, mainly due to an increase in exports from Ukraine and Bulgaria by 64% and 14% respectively. Romania saw a slight increase in exports of loaded containers.
The forecast for container turnover in the Black Sea region for 2024-2025 shows that the growth will be 5-7% and will exceed 3 million TEU in 2025. The main driver of this growth will be the further restoration and expansion of direct container connections with Ukrainian ports.
As previously reported by USM, the port of Pivdennyi handled the largest amount of cargo in 2024.
