Billions in losses, loss of transit and digitalization of seaports. Interview with the Head of the USPA

Last week, the State Enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority celebrated its 12th anniversary. The USPA was established in 2013 to separate administrative and economic functions in ports, leaving the state in control of strategic infrastructure. Operational activities (cargo transshipment) were planned to be subsequently transferred to private stevedoring companies.

This approach was in line with European practices and aimed to increase efficiency, transparency, and attract investment in the port industry. Of course, Russian aggression could not but affect the implementation of these plans.

However, the maritime sector remains an important component of the country's economy. On the eve of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine's seaports handled 77% of Ukraine's total cargo exports. In 2025, despite the war, the ports of Greater Odesa and the Danube region will account for about 60% of exports by value.

How does Russian aggression affect the work of seaports? Why did cargo transshipment volumes increase in 2024 and start to decline in 2025? How do ports compete for cargo? How much investment does the industry need and where are the funds for recovery coming from? What is being done to digitalize port services? All this was told to LIGA.net by Oleksandr Semyryga in his first interview with the media as the Head of the State Enterprise "Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority".