For 7 months of 2013 the volume of sea transportations between Ukraine and EU countries increased by 2,85% in comparison with the same period last year and is equal to 12,7 million tons.
The export from Ukraine increased by 1,98%, import – by 18,67% (it should be added that the freight traffic volumes of these two directions are incomparable: in absolute figures 2% export growth is much greater than 19% import increase).
The increase of export traffic was achieved due to such commodity groups as “Agricultural goods” and “Metal products”. The import to Ukraine grew due to “Oil products” and “Chemical materials”.
For the specified time period of 2013 in comparison with the same period last year Ukraine exported to the EU 28% more (+953,000 t) of agricultural products (the main exported product is maize) and 20% more (+415,000 t) of metal products.
The export of solid mineral fuels (coal) decreased by 43% (-629,000 t), petroleum products (mainly fuel oil) by 48% (-284,000 t), construction material (mainly clay) by 17% (-219,000 t). However the export cutback in “Oil products” commodity group was compensated by the import of petrol and distillate fuel.
The commodity group of “Oil products” ensured the main growth of sea cargo import transportations from EU countries to Ukraine for 7 month in 2013. In comparison with the same year of 2012 the import of oil products (mainly petrol and distillate fuel) performed by sea transport increased by 69% (+275,000 t). The import of chemicals and metal products (mainly rolled steel) also escalated.
The sea deliveries of transport equipment and manufactured products to Ukraine reduced by 2 times. The transportations of construction materials also grew down.
“It should be mentioned that the high level of import maritime traffic to Ukraine from EU countries is achieved due to the transportation of refined products. If the traffic volume of these cargoes had remained at the same level as in 2012, the total import would have decreased by more than 8%. It means that the volume of container cargoes dropped. The export increase was not achieved due to container cargo transportation. In other words, having the upward trends in the total freight turnover, container turnover between EU countries and Ukraine considerably reduced,” – comments Dmitry Stasevych, the head of TELS branch office in Kiev.
According to Seaport Administration of Ukraine, the total container turnover in Ukrainian ports for 9 month of 2013 increased by 8% in comparison with the same period last year.