Kakhovka HPP disaster not threatening navigation in Danube region, ports of Odessa - USPA

MOSCOW. June 13 (Interfax) - There is no direct threat to navigation in the ports of the Danube region and the Odessa agglomeration following the disaster on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), Ukrainian media reported citing Yury Litvin, head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA).

However, the USPA plans to monitor the security of navigation and efforts to prevent environmental and man-made problems together with the local authorities, Litvin said at a meeting with the Association of European Businesses (AEB).

Litvin said that the USPA has some difficulties with the fulfillment of one of Ukraine's main obligations, the grain deal. At the same time, Litvin pointed to higher cargo transshipment volumes in the Danube region ports which the USPA is currently in charge of.

"Record amounts of transshipment are seen now, over 11.5 million tonnes. Such figures were reached thanks to the introduction of new mooring into operation, the acquisition of the additional ones, and the optimization of already existing cargo flows," he said.

The USPA's plans comprise the construction of new storage areas, the restoration of the M-15 motorway, the increase of the quantity of navigation pilots, depots and anchoring grounds in the Danube area to accelerate the movement of ships and increase the efficiency of transfer of cargoes, Litvin said.

According to Litvin, investments into the ports of the Danube region exceeded $97 million in 2022, and are expected to increase to $120 million in 2023. Negotiations with potential investors as part of the Black Sea port concession of the container terminal and the ferry complex are continuing. As for other concessions, privatization of the Ust-Dunaisk Sea Trade Port stevedore company and privatization of the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Sea Trade Port on the basis of state-private partnership are continuing.