18 June 2024 (Lloyd's List) - MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company has become the latest container line to return services to Ukraine after launching a service between Asyaport, Türkiye and Odesa, Ukraine.

Panama-flagged, 2006-built, 1,114 teu containership MSC Levante F (IMO: 9330264) is en route to Poti, Georgia, before continuing on to Odesa. It is expected to arrive at the Ukrainian port on Friday, June 21.

Container lines have been slowly returning to the war-torn country. Freight forwarder Iteris began operating feeder services between Odesa and Constantza, Romania in early April.

Iteris said two multipurpose vessels, T- Mare (IMO: 9007001) and T Moon (IMO: 8917417), each just under 400 teu, are operating the route, calling at Odesa every two to five days.

German container giant Hapag-Lloyd began taking slots on the route a few weeks ago, becoming the first major to return to Ukraine since Russia began its incursion in March 2022.

Ports of Stockholm and the Baltic Ports Organisation are working to secure funding that would improve efficiency at Ukrainian ports and better integrate them into the EU transport network.

Ukraine was granted EU Candidate status in June 2022 and negotiations to welcome Ukraine to the bloc are ongoing.