The largest vessel in the history of the sea corridor departed from Pivdennyi port

The bulk carrier is loaded with 195,700 tons of products of Ukrainian steel enterprises

On April 6, 2024, the bulk carrier Captain Leonidas left Pivdennyi port, becoming the largest vessel to pass through the Ukrainian sea corridor. This was reported by the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA).

The Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier is loaded with 195.7 thousand tons of products from Ukrainian steelmakers. The top three vessels with the maximum amount of cargo also included George Island – 178.06 thousand tons, and Jutta – 176.85 thousand tons.

«The Ukrainian corridor is an efficient logistics route whose rhythmic operation is the result of joint efforts of the state, the Joint Defense Forces and the entire maritime infrastructure team,» said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

During the 7 months of operation of the Ukrainian sea corridor, 1286 vessels exported more than 36 million tons of cargo, including 25 million tons of agricultural products. Currently, 135 vessels are waiting to approach the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, with 4 million tons of cargo to be exported.

As of the beginning of March 2024, about 30 million tons of cargo have been transshipped through the special Black Sea corridor, which Ukraine opened in August 2023 on its own, solely with the assistance of the Joint Defense Forces. Domestic products are now exported to at least 38 countries. Thus, in March, the volume of cargo handled reached about 6 million tons.

Earlier, the Ministry of Economy confirmed that the Unity affordable ship insurance program, implemented by Marsh McLennan and Lloyd’s of London in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, has been expanded to cover all non-military cargo. Under the program, it will be possible to insure not only the maritime transportation of grain and other important foodstuffs, but also ships carrying ore, steel, and containerized cargo.