According to Ukrainian media reports, despite the recent decline in security conditions along the Black Sea coast, Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping company, has launched a new weekly feeder service between the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk and its hub in Port Said, Egypt.

This new service will significantly reduce the transportation time for goods to and from Chornomorsk.

On October 16, the 1,702 TEU container ship A. Obelix departed from Egypt, with an expected arrival in Chornomorsk on October 22.

Built in 2008, the A. Obelix is flagged under Malta, has a carrying capacity of 23,831 tons, and measures 183.5 meters in length and 25.2 meters in width.

In a report to its customers, Maersk highlighted that compared to the previously launched Constanta-Chornomorsk route (Maersk’s first container route to Ukraine), the new service offers shorter transit times for shipments to and from Chornomorsk. Ukraine has gradually returned to global container trade this year, with Hapag-Lloyd and MSC resuming services to the country in late May, despite ongoing attacks on its ports. In the past five weeks, four international merchant vessels, including a container ship, have been attacked in the Black Sea by Russian forces, marking the first confirmed attacks on merchant ships since November last year. Last week, the port of Odesa suffered a missile strike, severely damaging several Maersk containers (as seen in the image).

There were earlier rumors that Maersk, like other carriers, planned to reduce its activities at Odesa Port. However, this has not materialized.

A military observer commented, “Ballistic missile strikes on port infrastructure have not deterred businesses from continuing sea transportation. Despite provocations and shelling, the Ukrainian maritime corridor will continue to play its role.”