Ukrainian maritime corridor handles 120 million tons of cargo, over 28 million this year

The press service of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development reported this.

Since the beginning of 2025, the ports of Greater Odesa have handled over 28 million tons, including more than 15 million tons of grain.

The Ukrainian maritime corridor has become a vital logistics tool, allowing domestic producers to maintain competitiveness in global markets and ensuring stable foreign exchange inflows into the country’s economy. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, 30% of all metal product exports are transported via this route. For the agricultural sector, the economic effect is estimated at 15-20% of added value, reflecting the corridor's significant contribution to industry development.

Thanks to the functioning of the maritime corridor, Ukrainian products are exported to 53 countries worldwide, including remote regions such as Kenya, Djibouti, and Bangladesh. For North African and Southeast Asian markets, the sea route remains the most economically viable, as overland transportation significantly increases the cost of Ukrainian grain, making it uncompetitive in these markets.

“Last year, air alarms were declared more than 800 times in the Odesa region. The total time when port workers had to interrupt operations and shelter in safe zones amounted to over 32 days. Despite these conditions, the logistics process continued and ensured stable exports,” said Minister Oleksii Kuleba.

He emphasized that Ukraine continues to fulfill its vital role in the global food system. The maritime corridor is not only an element of economic resilience for the country but also a tool of stability for dozens of countries dependent on Ukrainian grain supplies.

What is known about the work of the grain corridor

On 17 July, Russia announced the termination of the grain deal. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was necessary to continue using the grain corridor even despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement. 

On August 4, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said that Ukraine would send ships with its own grain to wherever it deems necessary and would not ask anyone for permission.

On August 10, the Ukrainian Navy announced a temporary humanitarian corridor for merchant ships sailing to and from Ukrainian ports.

On August 12, Ukraine opened the registration of merchant ships and their owners who are ready to use temporary routes to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.

On August 16, the first vessel left the port of Odesa after Russia announced that it would terminate the grain deal on July 16, 2023.

As of mid-November 2023, 100 ships sailed through the Black Sea grain corridor, and as of early January 2024, 15 million tons of grain were exported from Ukraine.

As of March 10, 2024, 1,005 ships left Ukrainian ports, exporting about 30 million tons of grain.