The state has turned Odesa region ports into companies

The transformation of port infrastructure has started in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. This means changing the form of management of key state-owned enterprises that are strategically important for the country's economy and logistics.

This is evidenced by a decree issued by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which approved the decision of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development to reorganize a number of state-owned enterprises.

The key block of changes concerns the port industry. The government has decided to transform a number of state-owned enterprises into limited liability companies, where all shares will also belong to the state.

This list includes Mykolaiv Commercial Sea Port, Odesa Commercial Sea Port, Chornomorsk Commercial Sea Port, Mariupol Commercial Sea Port, Reni Commercial Sea Port, Izmail Commercial Sea Port, and Yuzhny Commercial Sea Port. The list also includes the State Research Institute of Building Structures.

The reorganization means a change in the corporate governance model, which should increase the efficiency of enterprises, simplify investment attraction and make them more flexible in their interaction with international partners. At the same time, the state retains full control over the assets.

Concessions and public-private partnerships are also being intensified, especially in the Odesa region. In early April, the tender commission allowed a number of Ukrainian and international companies to participate in the tender for the concession of the First and Container Terminals of the Chornomorsk port. The project has already moved to the stage of competitive dialog.

In January, in Brussels, the port of Chornomorsk was named one of the most promising container hubs in Ukraine. According to Alyona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development, the concession is not privatization: the terminals will be transferred to a private partner for management for up to 40 years, but the state will retain ownership and control over the fulfillment of investment obligations.

The interest in Ukrainian ports is also confirmed by statistics: in 2025, container traffic increased by 66% to 215,748 TEU, which demonstrates the stability of work even in times of war. The implementation of PPP projects is seen as one of the key tools for Ukraine's integration into global logistics chains.

Leading global operators, including Maersk, CMA CGM, and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, also joined the discussion of port infrastructure development. According to the Ministry, the project has attracted the attention of more than 40 international investors.

At the same time, privatization processes continue. In particular, in August, the transfer of ownership of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Commercial Sea Port, which was sold at auction in November, was completed. The winner was Top Offer LLC, and the port is now fully privately owned. The new owner plans to turn it into a key hub of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route from the European side.

Анна Бальчінос