Mykolaiv port to renew concession with support of Qatar

Ukraine has signed a memorandum on the renewal of a port concession in Mykolaiv region. The project envisages investments in port infrastructure and job preservation, which were suspended due to the war.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

On August 14, 2025, the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Kuterminals Olvia LLC, and Qatar's QTerminals signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that provides for the resumption of the concession project at the Olvia Specialized Seaport in Mykolaiv region.

The port was transferred to QTerminals Olvia LLC for 35 years on August 20, 2020. The concession stipulates that the company invests in the development of the port and the city, preserves jobs, and pays the state for the use of infrastructure. Due to Russia's full-scale invasion, the project is currently on hold.

"The renewal of the concession in the port of Olvia serves as a signal to international partners that we are ready to rebuild even in times of war," emphasized Andriy Kashuba.

The memorandum was signed by Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba, Director of KTerminals Olvia LLC Ruslan Oleynik and Acting Chief Executive Officer of QTerminals Charles Meeby. The meeting was joined by First Deputy Minister Alyona Shkrum, who emphasized that concession agreements help attract investment and develop infrastructure, as well as facilitate the exchange of experience between ports.

According to the press service, concession agreements remain a key tool for modernizing and expanding port infrastructure and are an integral part of the country's reconstruction.

Kherson port was one of the first Ukrainian facilities to be transferred to a concession. Due to the war and occupation, it did not work for a long time, but now the Ministry of Development and the concessionaire are resuming its work. Starting in October 2025, amendments to the legislation will come into force, allowing concession agreements to be adapted to force majeure circumstances. The new rules simplify public-private partnerships, open up opportunities for attracting investment and obtaining grants for infrastructure reconstruction.

Анна Бальчінос