Ukrainian Ministry begins preparations for PPP involving part of Chornomorsk port grain terminal

Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development on Tuesday published Order No. 669 dated March 27, launching preparations for the implementation of a public-private partnership (PPP) project covering part of the grain terminal of the state-owned enterprise Chornomorsk Maritime Merchandise Port and assets of the state-owned enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) located in the rear of berths No. 7–9.

According to the document, an inventory of the above-mentioned assets must be carried out within one month, and the compiled documentation must be submitted to the Ministry for review.

This includes a list of assets of Chornomorsk Maritime Merchandise Port and the Chornomorsk branch of the USPA that may become part of the PPP project, as well as state-owned property that is not eligible for inclusion. The document separately identifies assets that a private partner may purchase under the PPP agreement in accordance with the law.

The order notes that the PPP unit and the USPA are to explore the possibility of involving international financial organizations in preparing the project. It also instructs them to consider concluding a tripartite civil law agreement on project preparation between the Ministry, the USPA, and an international financial organization.

The USPA is also tasked with ensuring financing of expenses related to project preparation, including the drafting of a concept note, a feasibility study, tender documentation, and other materials.

In turn, the PPP unit is required to enter information about the project into the Unified Information System for Public Investment Project Management and include it in the state’s single portfolio of public investment projects.

The order emphasizes that Chornomorsk Maritime Merchandise Port and the USPA must take measures to prevent any reduction in the assets necessary for project implementation. This includes fixed assets, construction in progress, intangible assets, and land plots on which such facilities are located.

It is also prohibited, without approval from the Ministry, to conclude or extend lease agreements, easements, or any other arrangements, whether paid or free of charge, for transferring the relevant assets to third parties if they are planned to be included in the project. Among other restrictions, the conclusion of loan agreements or other documents and transactions involving the sale, write-off, or gratuitous transfer of such assets is prohibited.

As reported, in September 2025 Ukraine announced a decision to hold a concession tender for the first and container terminals at the Chornomorsk port, which is expected to become the first project of this kind in the port sector since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The prequalification stage has now been completed, and preparations have begun for dialogue with the bidders admitted to the concession tender, including Ukrainian and international companies, although their number and names have not been disclosed.