Global Freight Facilitator to Develop Black Sea Port for Containers and Bulk Cargo

UKRAINE – The international operator of 48 ports worldwide, Hutchison Ports, has signed an MOU with the Government of Ukraine for the development of Chornomorsk Port on the Black Sea. Chornomorsk is already one of the largest ports in the Black Sea handling a range of freight including containers, ferries, general and bulk cargoes. Situated in the south-western region of Ukraine 20 kilometres south of Odessa, Chornomorsk has established rail connections to the capital Kiev and a pre-existing skilled workforce.

The MOU was signed by Clemence Cheng, Managing Director Hutchison Ports Europe, and Volodymyr Omelyan, the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure during a visit by the Minister to Britain’s largest port at Felixstowe. The Minister was joined by Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Natalia Galibarenko. Commenting on the agreement, Clemence Cheng, said:

“We are delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Ukraine to develop container terminal facilities at Chornomorsk. We have long seen the potential for growth in container business in Ukraine and look forward to working together with the Ministry of Infrastructure to realise our shared aim of developing world class port facilities to facilitate trade.”

The agreement marks Hutchinson’s first presence in the Black Sea. Currently the company has over 30,000 employees operates ports and terminals in 25 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. In 2015, Hutchison Ports handled a combined throughput of 83.8 million TEU and Minister Omelyan added:

“I am glad that the world’s leading port operator enters Ukraine’s maritime market. Government is committed to finalise the agreement and to close the deal in 2017.”

Photo: Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure, Voldymyr Omelyan (left) and Clemence Cheng, MD Hutchison Ports Europe, sign the MOU.