Attacks by the aggressor country of the Russian Federation on the port infrastructure of Ukraine create the risk of a significant reduction or even collapse of export supplies, primarily agricultural products. The owners and managers of port terminals warn about this in an open letter to the government and international partners, which was published on June 10 by the specialized portal Latifundist.com.
Port operators say previous Russian strikes have already caused damage and disruption to terminals, particularly at the port of Chernomorsk, where a Kernel facility was damaged following an attack on the night of June 5.
Operators note that the bulk of Ukrainian exports – grain, oil, ore and other products – pass through the ports of the Odessa region, and any systemic damage to the infrastructure immediately affects the entire supply chain.
The authors of the letter emphasize that the business has already repeatedly restored work after shelling on its own, but the resources for quick repairs are gradually drying up.
Port operators compare the situation with the energy sector, where mechanisms for rapid recovery and international support are in place, while the port infrastructure does not yet have such tools.
“There are problems there [в энергетике] still a lot. But there is a clear approach: if the system is critical for the country, its restoration cannot only be the problem of the owner of a particular facility. […] The situation with ports is similar, just less noticeable. If an energy facility fails, cities, people, businesses and the media quickly feel it. If the terminal fails, the effect spreads more slowly,” the letter explains.
The authors of the appeal call for the creation of a separate mechanism for rapid recovery and the expansion of war risk insurance to terminals, warehouses and transshipment complexes, and not just to ships.
“Protecting ships without protecting ports is only half the solution,” the letter says.
According to the authors, without such decisions, Ukraine’s export capabilities may begin to decline rapidly, which creates risks for the country’s economy in war conditions.
According to industry associations cited by Reuters, more than 90% of Ukrainian agricultural exports pass through the ports of the Odessa hub, so any damage directly affects the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The World Bank estimates the recovery needs of Ukraine's transport sector at approximately $96.3 billion, of which approximately 60% of losses are associated with disruptions to port operations.
In the 2025/2026 season, more than 34 million tons of grain have already been exported, while for the same period last year – 38.6 million tons.
