Glencore, the world's largest commodities trader, is looking at investment in Illichivsk Maritime Merchandise Port (Odesa region), Oleksandr Hryhorashenko, the chairman of the port, said at a press conference on October 19, 2012.

"We have Cargill, if we also get Glencore, that will be enough," he said.

He did not give any details about the possible work with Glencore, saying "so far they are listening and looking."

Cargill and the Illichivsk port on October 18 signed a protocol of intent, envisaging possible construction by Cargill of a grain and oil crop storage and shipping complex at the port with annual capacity of 4.5 million tonnes. Investment in the complex was estimated at $80 million to $90 million.

Odesa regional administration said in March 2011 that Glencore planned to invest UAH 523 million in the construction of an oil extraction plant at OJSC Liubashevsky Elevator in Liubashevsky district, Odesa region.

Glencore already works in Odesa, shipping grain via the Illichivsk Grain Terminal.

Illichivsk Maritime Merchandise Port is a universal international port, one of the biggest on the Black Sea. Its annual handling capacity is upwards of 30 million tonnes of cargo. It has specialized terminals and complexes that handle a wide range of cargoes - liquid, bulk, and general. The port's 29 moorings can receive ships capable of handling up to 100,000 tonnes of freight. The port can process 1.15 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. Since 2007, it has been able - at any one time - to accommodate three marine container vessels up to 300 meters in length and with carrying capacity of more than 5,000 TEU.