OREANDA-NEWS. On May 31, 2008 The Transport and Communications Ministry of Ukraine has drafted a strategy for the development of Ukraine's seaports over the period until 2015, the Transport Ministry press service reported.

Ukrainian ports and transport system on the whole is expected to integrate with the global transport network as a full-fledged participant. This will help towards a serious increase in the port freight turnover, mainly thanks to container cargoes.

It is planned to build, reconstruct and modernize berths and other hydro-technical facilities, replace and renovate loading equipment, build and reconstruct freight complexes, renovate tugging, environmental, ice-breaking and bunker fleets, replace and modernize navigation tools at Ukraine's seaports.

There are 18 merchant ports on the Azov and Black sea coasts.