Improvement of the grain infrastructure in Ukraine, which remained almost unchanged since the USSR times, will allow redistributing cargo traffic flows in more effective way, declared Yuri Skichko, Director of Hermes-Trading LLC, at the Ukrainian-American Agrarian Congress on March 25.
According to him, to date 60% of agricultural cargoes in Ukraine are transported by rail, 35% - by motor transport, and only 4% - by river.
Hermes-Trading plans to redistribute cargo traffic flows, and strengthen the role of river transportation for freight traffic activity. But the main issue is financing of such project. The company is considering various variants to raise financing to advance the process of infrastructure modernization, and increasing the level of trade in Ukraine, Y.Skichko said.
According to Y.Skichko, first of all, it is necessary to make dredging works at the Dnieper and Southern Bug for the further development of river infrastructure. In addition, foundation of the transport hub in the Dnieper delta will create the required platform for water transportation, and remove limitations on the class of used vessels.
Also, Hermes-Trading plans to increase the volume of transported cargoes and improve the economy of river transportation. Therefore, foundation of such hub in the Dnieper delta should become the priority for the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, summed up the expert.
