On September 5, 2025, Ukraine officially launched the first public-private partnership (PPP) project in the port industry since the start of the full-scale invasion. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development.
Deputy Prime Minister for Ukraine’s Recovery and Minister of Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, signed the order to establish the tender commission in the presence of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The project covers the First and Container Terminals of Chornomorsk Port, including six deep-water berths and the entire infrastructure. These remain in state ownership, while the private investor brings capital and expertise, taking responsibility for modernization and management under a transparent long-term agreement.
More than 40 international port operators and investors have already expressed interest, ensuring strong competition and favorable terms for Ukraine.
Key figures of the project:
Hundreds of millions of USD in berth and equipment modernization; Over $1.1 billion in state and local budget revenues within 40 years; More than 1,000 new jobs with guarantees for workers; Restoration of container traffic to 250,000 TEU annually within three years, with the potential to return to pre-war levels of 500,000+ TEU.
“This is the beginning of a transparent international procedure with the participation of leading global companies. For the Chornomorsk community, this means stability and new opportunities. For the country, it is about reviving container shipping and strengthening Ukraine’s position on the global logistics map. The Chornomorsk PPP will become a model for future port initiatives,” said Oleksii Kuleba.
The Chornomorsk project is expected to become a showcase for future modernization of other Ukrainian ports and a powerful signal for foreign investors that Ukraine’s strategic infrastructure is open to international cooperation.
Recently, the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company held its first meeting, addressing the company’s performance and the state of the river shipping industry.
