Sea Shipping: Useful Resources for Importers
Sea freight is more than just rates and containers. Every shipment involves dozens of details: which port to choose, what the bill of lading should say, why the terminal has charged extra for storage and how to dispute it. The "Sea: Useful Resources" section brings together exactly these kinds of materials — practical, no-fluff content written from real experience working with Ukrainian ports.
On the right you will find a list of available articles. The section currently covers three main topics — ports, charges and documents. We add new content regularly: coming soon are dedicated pages for each shipping line that calls at Ukrainian ports.
Ukrainian Sea Ports: Chornomorsk, Odessa and Pivdennyi
Ukraine operates three commercial ports on the Black Sea, and they differ significantly in specialisation, water depth and cargo types. Before planning a shipment, it is important to understand which port suits your particular cargo.
- Port of Chornomorsk — Ukraine's main container port. Berth depth up to 14.5 m, capable of receiving Panamax-class vessels. The majority of import containers pass through here. Located 25 km from Odessa.
- Port of Odessa — one of the oldest ports on the Black Sea, founded in 1794. Multi-purpose: grain, petroleum products, containers and passengers. Depth up to 13.5 m. The historic centre of Ukrainian maritime trade.
- Port of Pivdennyi (Southern) — Ukraine's deepest port, up to 21 m. Specialises in grain, chemical fertilisers, ore and petroleum products. Receives Capesize-class vessels. Located 30 km from Odessa.
Each article covers the port's history, technical specifications, terminals, active shipping lines and current operating status in 2025.
Port Charges: THC, Demurrage, Detention and Storage
Freight is only part of the cost of sea delivery. Terminal and container charges often account for 15–35% of the final invoice — and if cargo collection is delayed, they can triple it. The article "Port Charges: THC, Demurrage, Detention and Storage" breaks down four key cost categories:
- THC (Terminal Handling Charge) — a fee charged by the terminal for handling the container during discharge and delivery;
- Demurrage — a penalty charged by the shipping line for exceeding the free time allowed for the container to remain at the port;
- Detention — a penalty charged by the line for late return of an empty container after it has been collected;
- Storage — a separate terminal fee for the container remaining on port territory, charged from the 4th day after discharge.
The article includes indicative tariff tables for Chornomorsk and Odessa, the most common reasons for overpayments and how to avoid them.
Bill of Lading: The Key Document in Sea Freight
Without understanding the bill of lading, it is difficult to stay in control of your shipment. An error in a single field can leave cargo stuck at customs while storage charges keep accumulating. The article "Bill of Lading: What It Is and How to Read It" explains:
- the three functions of a bill of lading — receipt, contract of carriage and document of title;
- the difference between MBL and HBL, and between a straight and an order B/L;
- when a Sea Waybill is the right choice and how it differs from an original bill of lading;
- how a telex release works and the situations in which it carries risk;
- a step-by-step walkthrough of all key fields in the document with an explanation of each.
Coming Soon to This Section
We are continuing to expand the section. Planned additions include dedicated articles for each shipping line operating at Ukrainian ports: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ZIM, COSCO, OOCL, ONE and PIL. Each article will cover routes via Ukraine, local agent contacts, tariff policy specifics and schedules.
If you have a question about a specific shipment, the Trans-Hope team will respond faster than any article. Get in touch for a quote or consultation on our container shipping or port freight forwarding pages.
