The Ukrainian exporter Kernel and Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) invest more than $100 million in infrastructure development of the port of Chornomorsk, Odessa region. The funds will be spent on the reconstruction and construction of berths, the expansion of approach railway lines, which will increase the port's cargo turnover.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and the international grain trader Kernel held talks on developing the infrastructure of the seaport of Chornomorsk and agreed to launch a number of projects worth over $100 million.

In particular, we are talking about the reconstruction of existing and construction of new berths, as well as the expansion of approach railway lines, which will increase the port's cargo turnover and revenue from port dues.

Today we have reached a preliminary agreement on the implementation of a public-private partnership in upgrading the port's hydrotechnical, warehouse and railway infrastructure. Both the investor and the state have a common goal - to create modern port facilities under the guarantee of an increase in cargo turnover. Currently, the development of project documentation and assessment investments. And already in the second quarter of this year we plan to start signing mutual obligations of the state and a private investor.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine

It is noted that Kernel is a leading exporter of agricultural products and one of the largest private port operators, which today provides almost 40% of the cargo flow of the Port of Chornomorsk.

For 10 years of operation, the company has increased exports by 2.5 times. Last year, berths and port infrastructure received 10.2 million tons of grain. At the same time, the average level of loading of the existing port berths was 92%. There are plans to further increase cargo traffic, but this requires expanding the capacity of the port infrastructure.

The Company and USPA are interested in the reconstruction of existing and construction of new berths, as well as the expansion of the approach railway lines. In particular, it will provide the possibility of processing modern ships.

Earlier, the USPA completed dredging in the port of the 1st bucket of the water area of ​​the Sukhoi Liman up to 15 metres, which will ensure the unhindered approach of Panamax-type vessels with a deadweight of up to 100 thousand tons.