Ukraine has the potential to become a major ferry transportation hub on the Black Sea, according to Ukrferry, the national shipping company.
At the Ukrainian Transport Forum 2025, Ukrferry outlined several promising long-term ferry routes, including two that would operate through Ukrainian ports:
- Ukraine – Georgia
- Ukraine – Turkey
- Bulgaria – Georgia
These routes could strengthen regional connectivity and boost trade and tourism between the Black Sea countries.
However, Ukrferry highlighted significant challenges that must be addressed to fully realize this potential. A key issue is the organization of rail-ferry transportation, which is complicated by Ukrzaliznytsia’s recent withdrawal from several multilateral international agreements related to railcar information exchange, many of which involved Russia.
Specifically, Ukrzaliznytsia’s exit from a multilateral agreement has disrupted the flow of crucial data regarding depot repairs for railcars stranded in Ukraine since the war began. This has prevented the movement of these railcars across rail networks in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, limiting the efficiency of combined rail and ferry transport.
Ukrferry stressed that bilateral agreements with other railway administrations could resolve these obstacles, but such accords must be urgently signed and implemented. The company emphasized that overcoming these hurdles requires coordinated state policy support, not just private sector effort.
As Ukraine prepares to restore and expand its rail-ferry services, clear government backing and international cooperation will be essential to unlock the country’s strategic position as a Black Sea ferry gateway.
