Since the launch of the Ukrainian maritime corridor, the ports of the Odessa region have processed 120 million tons of cargo, of which 76 million tons are agricultural products.
In 2025 alone, over 28 million tons have been transported, including more than 15 million tons of grain.
Thanks to the Ukrainian corridor, domestic producers have maintained competitiveness on global markets and ensured stable foreign exchange inflows into the national economy. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, up to 30% of metal product exports pass through this route. The economic effect for the agricultural sector is estimated at 15–20% of added value.
The Ukrainian maritime corridor has facilitated exports to 53 countries worldwide, including Kenya, Djibouti, and Bangladesh. For markets in North Africa and Southeast Asia, the sea route remains the most economically advantageous, as overland transport would make Ukrainian grain uncompetitive in price.
Despite constant shelling of port infrastructure, the Ukrainian corridor continues to operate and remains a key element of global food security, ensuring stable grain supplies to regions with limited access to other routes.
"Last year, in the Odessa region alone, air alerts were declared over 800 times. The total time when port workers were forced to interrupt operations and shelter amounted to more than 32 days. Despite these conditions, the logistics process never stopped and ensured stable exports. Ukraine continues to perform an important role in the global food system. The maritime corridor is a tool of stability that dozens of countries on different continents rely on. This result has been achieved thanks to the efforts of the military, who provide protection to the port regions, and the daily work of port workers, engineers, logisticians, energy specialists, diplomats, and customs officers. Ukraine is holding the line – in defense and in supporting global security,” said Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.
The creation and stable operation of the maritime corridor strengthen Ukraine's transport infrastructure, promote the diversification of export routes, and increase the country's economic resilience.
The Ukrainian corridor was created after the suspension of the "grain corridor," organized under the initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with the support of the UN and Turkey. After further blockades by Russia, which at the time was one of the parties to the agreement, an alternative route was implemented, which became known as the Ukrainian maritime corridor.
Unlike the grain corridor, the new sea route allows the transportation of not only agricultural products but also other goods. This has become one of the key factors for economic stabilization during the war.
