According to the information provided by Ukrainian Ministry of Industrial Policy, production of Ukrainian shipbuilding industry amounted in the first half of the current year to $290 million (+57% against year-on-year result). A year before production growth was 16.9%, RZD-Partner reports. In 2005 half-year production made 61% of annual result, while this year it is 72.5% of 2005 annual result. Unlike the previous year, when growth was demonstrated by the branch leaders (first of all, Damen Shipyards Ocean OJSC and Kherson shipbuilding plant), this year a number of branch companies demonstrated production growth. Zaliv, Kiev and Kilij shipyards increased their loading in 2006.
In money equivalent, production grew by over 52%, amounting to $42.2 million. In physical terms, sale amounted to 8 newbuildings (-1 newbuilding against half-year result of 2005), or below 10% of annual shipbuilding program implemented through 2005. The decrease may be attributed to growth of complete building share. Total backlog of Ukraine shipyards for the second half of the year totals $290 million (+6% against year-on-year volume). It consists of contracts for 46 newbuildings. The share of new contracts is 11 vessels with total value of $50 million.