Transport in Ukraine

The transportation sector accounts for roughly 11% of the country's gross domestic product and 7% of total employment.

International maritime travel is mainly provided through the Port of Odesa, from where ferries sail regularly to Istanbul, Varna and Haifa.

[2] Rail transport in Ukraine connects all major urban areas, port facilities and industrial centres with neighbouring countries.

It has three main passenger terminals and is the base for the country's flag carrier, Ukraine International Airlines.

Today the transport sector in Ukraine generally meets only the basic needs of the economy and population.

The level of safety, quality and efficiency of passenger and freight transport, as well as the infrastructure's amount of energy usage, and the technological burden it places on the environment do not meet modern-day requirements.

Due to the low level of demand, the country's existing transit potential and advantageous geographical position is not fully utilised.

The transportation infrastructure of Ukraine is adequately developed overall, however it is obsolete and in need of major modernization.

A remarkable boost in the recent development of the country's transportation infrastructure was noticed after winning the right to host a major continental sport event the UEFA Euro 2012.

As of 2016, many of Ukraine's major provincial highways are in very poor condition, with an Ukravtodor official stating that 97% of roads are in need of repair.

Additionally, the granting of the Euro 2012 football tournament to Poland and Ukraine as joint hosts has prompted the government to invest huge amounts of money into transport infrastructure, and in particular airports.

Plans are announced to revitalize commercial freight navigation on the Southern Bug as part of the increasing grain export from Ukraine.