Ukraine. Containerized agricultural exports return to seaports

Until 2022, almost all agricultural products in containers were shipped through seaports. After the full-scale invasion, the ports were blocked, leading to a shift in grain flows toward western border crossings and Danube ports. Currently, agricultural products that can be exported in bulk or tankers are increasingly being shipped through deep-water Black Sea ports. But what are the trends in container shipments?

Volumes of agricultural exports (in containers), thousand tons (2022–2024)

Let's look in detail at the container export volumes during 2022–2024:

• 2022 – 950 thousand tons of grains, oilseeds, and processed products
• 2023 – 2,115 thousand tons (+122% year-over-year)
• 2024 – 1,800 thousand tons (-15%)

Each year had its own characteristics, but 2024 was marked by more evenly distributed export volumes of agricultural products in containers throughout the year. However, a decline in volumes was observed in the second half of the year, which may continue into the first half of 2025 due to a lower harvest of late crops. The main exported goods in containers for 2023-2024 were:

• Sunflower oil (32-25% of total agricultural exports in containers)
• Wheat (20-22%)
• Meals (17-19%)
• Corn (12-14%)

Changes in Export Distribution by Transport Mode (2022-2024), %

Over the three-year period, the structure of exports by transport mode gradually changed. Road transport played a decreasing role, while maritime transport began to regain lost positions. Although pre-invasion levels have not yet been restored, there is a clear trend toward an increasing share of container exports via sea transport. Several factors influence this trend:

• Shipping companies are sending positive signals to Ukraine regarding the prospects for increasing container cargo handling. Despite security risks (Russia continues drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian ports), maritime transport is recovering.
• Maersk launched a container service between Chornomorsk and Constanța. In cooperation with the Ukrainian feeder operator Iteris, the service uses a vessel with a capacity of over 1,100 TEU to connect Ukraine’s deep-water port of Chornomorsk with the Romanian container terminal in Constanța. A return to direct connections with Egypt and Turkey, as before the war, is also possible.
• In early 2025, the French company CMA CGM resumed container ship operations at the "Brooklyn-Kyiv Port" terminal in the Odesa Sea Port. This made it the second major container operator to restore its fleet in Odesa. CMA CGM established a direct connection between Greece and Ukraine on the Piraeus — Istanbul — Odesa route.

In addition to maritime transportation, the role of container terminals and dry ports built in western Ukraine should be considered. Investments made, established business ties, and most importantly, demand from EU countries for Ukrainian agricultural products will continue to stimulate container shipments via rail and road transport as well.
Containerized exports of agricultural products are showing a trend toward the restoration of maritime routes, particularly through deep-water Black Sea ports. Despite security risks, the resumption of container services by Maersk and CMA CGM indicates growing confidence among shipping companies in Ukrainian ports. At the same time, the development of container terminals in western Ukraine supports the expansion of multimodal logistics, optimizing export flows. Further growth in container shipments is expected, provided that security conditions remain stable and international demand continues.