Ukrainian ports handled 23 million tons of cargo in the first quarter of 2025

In January-March 2025, Ukrainian ports handled 23 million tons of cargo. Despite the constant shelling and threats from the Russian army, the ports continue to operate thanks to the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy, and the resilience of the industry’s employees, according to a press release from the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA).

The largest transshipment volumes traditionally fall on the ports of Greater Odesa, which provided 20.7 million tons of cargo turnover. Among them:

• Pivdennyi Port – 10.6 million tons;
• Chornomorsk port – 6.6 million tons;
• Odesa Port – 3.5 million tons.

More than 2.3 million tons passed through the ports of the Danube region – Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk.

For comparison, in the first quarter of 2024, Ukrainian seaports handled 27.8 million tons of cargo. Thus, this year’s figure is 4.8 million tons less.

“The main reasons for the decline were a reduction in crop areas and a decline in production in export-oriented industries, in particular steel industry, which exported up to 80% of its products before the full-scale war,” the USPA said.

Amid global instability, disrupted logistics chains and fluctuations in commodity markets, the total volume of global transshipment is also declining.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian ports remain a key element of the logistics infrastructure, playing an important role in ensuring exports and imports and maintaining economic stability.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Ukrainian seaports handled 18.5 million tons of ore cargo in 2024. Last year, the total cargo turnover reached a record high of 97.2 million tons compared to 62 million tons in 2023, while exports amounted to 88.1 million tons.