Some major container lines halt calls at Ukrainian ports after renewed attacks — USPA head
Due to the deteriorating security situation, global container lines have suspended vessel calls at Ukrainian seaports, Head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) Oleksandr Semyrha said in an interview with LIGA.net.
"Unfortunately, we are highly dependent on the security situation. Some major container lines that had resumed calls to our ports last year have halted them again following the latest attacks. In such conditions, we need to find solutions to offset these risks through insurance mechanisms," he stated.
However, according to Semyrha, some international companies continue to operate in Ukraine.
He also emphasized the need for Ukrainian ports to focus on restoring their transit potential, which significantly declined after 2014 and was nearly lost following the full-scale invasion.
"Now we must aim to offer competitive alternatives to European ports. Ukrainian ports should be able to provide services and rates that are attractive compared to those in Bulgaria, Romania, and Georgia. That would pave the way for increasing transit flows toward Poland, Germany, the Baltic states, and others," the USPA head noted.
