ODESSA, FEBRUARY 16th, 2015, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — The deputy head of the State Enterprise “Administration of the Ports of Ukraine” Yuri Vaskov has said that the economic problems of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi port due to its orientation toward only one type of cargo – timber, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The press service of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Commercial Sea Port noted today, February 16.

Head of the Trade port union Igor Sergeyev said: “Investors plan to build a new grain terminal and timber production in the port. Everyone expects the increase of cargo handling volume, and accordingly — the wage fund and contributions to the union.”

In connection with the arrival of new investments, from 1 February 2015 the company increased wages by 10% for all employees. Private stevedoring companies, who won the tender, plan to hire 450 employees of the state enterprise “Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Commercial Sea Port” — they will be involved in the loading and maintenance of production lines in primary production. Employees retain all bonuses and allowances, professional experience, seniority and the whole package of social guarantees provided by the collective agreement.

Together with the union developed and signed a collective agreement, which regulates the transition of employees to work for the investor.

The press service added that the deputy head of the Administration of seaports Yuri Vaskov mentioned that Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi port has difficult financial situation due to severe depending on the type of goods and the shallow depths of the approach channel.

“There are a number of factors why the port previously was in a difficult financial position. The feature of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi port is that it is situated inside of the estuary and has limited depth of the approach. More than 90 percent of the goods, which he recycles recent years – is timber, mainly round wood,” Yuri Vaskov said.

He noted that any fluctuations in the market of cargo timber, seriously threaten the stable operation of the port.

“What we see, unfortunately, operational and financial showings are by operating activities, together with the reduced volume of transshipment. If the parliament will limit the export of round timber, the perspectives of the port are inconceivable. Cargo flows definitely should be invested and diversified. We need to create capacity for handling of other goods,” the deputy chief of APU said.

According to Mr Vaskov last five years significant dredging in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi port has not been done because of the financial situation in the country. However, Administration of the Ports of Ukraine has already begun this work and intends to rectify the situation.