As the discussions over a lasting ceasefire continue to make the headlines, Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and terminals are showing a resilience in their operations despite the continued attacks on its facilities. In the latest round of talks a ceasefire in the Black Sea was agreed, but Russian president Vladimir Putin has introduced what some call “stalling tactics” by requiring Europe to lift Russian sanctions before the ceasefire enters into force.

European leaders have so far declined to lift sanctions, saying it is not the right time for such a move, and over the weekend it has emerged that US president Donald Trump is losing patience with Putin, and is considering secondary sanctions. Meanwhile, trade on the Black Sea has continued to grow according to Odessa-based transport consultancy Informall. Regional Ukrainian ports increased volumes by more than 77% in 2024 as the success of Black Sea operations was translated into on the water freight exports and imports from the southern Ukrainian cluster of terminals...Analyst at Informall, Alexander Khromov, told Seatrade Maritime News: “To my mind, the Black Sea deal will not have a severe impact on shipping in Ukraine; it seems like it is needed to show a quick win for Trump to the world. The only positive momentum of that deal may be increased security for vessels and lower risks of them being shelled, however, no one knows how the situation will develop...According to Informall, the impetus for developing the humanitarian corridor following Russia’s suspension of the grain corridor, came from a small local freight forwarder who deployed a small fleet of vessels to tranship containers between the Romania’s Constanta port and Ukraine's Chornomorsk port, south of Odessa.Such was the success of the forwarders’ services that Maersk and MSC also recognised the potential of the trade and deployed their own vessels in support of the export trade, primarily...Informall acknowledges that the current volumes do not compare with the pre-war levels of freight handling, but the company understands that the latest data shows a significant increase and points to a better future.