In the 10-month period of 2006 port complex of Nikolaev region (Ukraine) handled 8.81 million tons of cargo (+9.1% or +0.79 million tons against year-on-year result), RZD-Partner reports with reference to State Department of sea and river transport of Ukraine (Ukrmorrechflot). The leader of the region is Nikolaev Commercial Seaport which handled 5.012 million tons (+15% or +0.65 million tons). A year ago cargo turnover of the port grew by 2.7% (+115 thou tons). The growth has been achieved through export increase, which totaled 2.737 million tons (+54.5% - the highest result among Ukrainian ports). The highest growth was demonstrated in the sector of ferrous metal (4-fold) and grain (double). At the same time, transit growth was at the level of just 1.1% (+16 thou tons). A year ago this sector, which is strategically important for Ukraine, demonstrated 4.1% decrease (-66 thou tons). Such stagnation is attributed to the problems with Byelorussian potassium and chlorine.
Cargo turnover of Skadovsky seaport grew by 48.8% or 0.12 million tons to 366.4 thou tons). Export grew by 35.5% (+33 thou tons), import – by 65.2% (+34 thou tons), transit – by 49.6% (+45 thou tons), coastal trade – by 45.8% (+5 thou tons). This dynamics reflects commercial interest to the “third” ports of Ukraine as well as growing attractiveness of a motor-ferry link between Ukraine and Turkey (considering the situation of overloaded container ports of Ukraine).