New ferry line between Ukraine and Georgia
The Ukrainian port of Skadovsk is gradually coming back to life after several years of being non-operational. It will serve a new ferry line between Ukraine and Georgia, which is dedicated to transporting cars and heavy goods vehicles between the two countries. The first ro-ro shipment took place in the last days of 2021.
On Tuesday, 28 December, the Star N ferry moored at a berth of the Port of Skadovsk in southern Ukraine. The vessel delivered 33 cars and 12 trucks, which were loaded with fruits and alcohol goods, from the Port of Poti in Georgia (Sakartvelo). Two Ukrainian companies, Sea Star Ferries and Safe Transportations, arrange the new ro-ro service between the countries. They plan to perform the ferry connection regularly with four-five shipments per month in each direction. In the coming days, the Star N ship will depart for Poti.
Before 2014
It is worth that the Port of Skadovsk was an important harbour for ferry lines between Turkey and Ukraine. There has been operating a stable ro-ro connection between Zonguldak and Skadovsk. Up to 17,000 trucks with consumer goods and fruits were moved from Turkey to Ukraine and vice versa annually. After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in March 2014, the ferry services were suspended. In 2015 and 2016, Cenk, the Turkish ferry specialist, made several unsuccessful attempts to relaunch the Zonguldak-Skadovsk connection.