What happened to the transport sector as a result of the Ukraine Recovery Conference URC2026 held in Gdansk, Poland.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference URC2026 held this year in Gdansk is over. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, head of our delegation after long discussions, stated that Ukraine managed to sign 160 agreements in the amount over 10 billion EUR during two days of work in Poland.
Head of the Government highlighted the following key results: first of all, 3.2 billion EUR to be received by Ukraine as the first tranche of the new EU financial instrument. The agreement with the World Bank provides allocation of 3.4 billion USD. 140 million EUR will be aimed at housing programs. Prime Minister also announced launching the European Flagship Fund for Reconstruction of Ukraine, creation of the Ukraine Transport Support Fund and an agreement with EIB on restoration and protection of roads in frontline regions. She noted, new partnerships in defense and power supply industries are also planned in the future.
Traditionally, in the framework of the Ukraine Recovery Conference and on site, the parties focus on key priorities for reconstruction, launching community resilience plans and attracting financing for infrastructure projects. At the start of URC2026, Ukraine announced its intention to present a portfolio of projects, which included, in particular, over 530 community and regional projects, as well as new public-private partnership projects in housing, infrastructure restoration and logistics development. The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development also reported that this year, for the first time, an Infrastructure Platform will be held in the framework of the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
Results of preliminary selection in the framework of concession of the First and Container Terminals of the Chornomorsk Sea Port
On the eve of URC2026, the Ministry of Development and Trade of Ukraine, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation, presented to international investors in Gdansk the project of concession of the ferry terminal at the Chornomorsk Sea Port.
Representatives of international and Ukrainian companies, including port operators, business associations and international financial organizations attended the event.
Key parameters of the project presented in the framework of report remained unchanged: a terminal concession for 35 years; at least 40 million USD of investment throughout the entire concession period, maintaining throughput capacity at the level of ca. 2 million MT of cargo each year with the potential for further growth, annual concession payments to the state budget, preservation of existing jobs and creation of new ones.
Oleksii Kuleba, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine – Minister of Community and Territorial Development, stated, “Restoration of Ukraine is impossible without attracting private capital. The scale of destruction caused by russian army to Ukrainian infrastructure requires new approaches to financing and development. That is why we are forming a systematic portfolio of public-private partnership projects and creating clear and transparent conditions for investors. Concession of the ferry terminal in Chornomorsk is one more signal to international business that Ukraine is ready for partnership and joint implementation of strategic infrastructure projects”.
During presentation of the ferry terminal, it was emphasized that this stage is a continuation of work on launching concession projects at the Chornomorsk Sea Port. They say, previously the Ministry of Development initiated concession of the First (Universal) Port Terminal and such proposal has already aroused significant interest from international operators. The relevant ministry states that now such project is at the stage of competitive dialogue. Participants shall submit their proposals on key project parameters – conditions for launching the concession, investment commitments, approaches to managing key risks. The results of this stage will form the final version of the concession agreement and instructions for submitting legally binding proposals.
During URC2026, Oleksii Kuleba announced the results of preliminary selection of applicants in the framework of the concession project of the First and Container Terminals at the Chornomorsk Sea Port. He reported, under the results of prequalification stage completed in early April, four applicants were admitted to further participation in the competitive dialogue, namely: APM Terminals B.V., Mariner and TAS consortium, Yilport Holding Anonim Şirketi, Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC and SKF Holdings UK LTD consortium.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ukraine has already created the required legislative conditions for launching public-private partnership (PPP) projects, developed risk-sharing mechanisms and formed clear rules of cooperation for international investors. This allows businesses to evaluate Ukrainian infrastructure projects not only through the prism of risks, but also as long-term investment opportunities.
Hereby we remind that concession of the First and Container Terminals at the Chornomorsk Sea Port is the first public-private partnership project in the port industry to be implemented after the outbreak of a full-scale war. This is potentially the largest investment in the history of Ukrainian sea ports, which should attract hundreds of millions US dollars of investment and provide over 1.1 billion USD in revenues to the state and local budgets (throughout all years of the agreement validity term).
Not only Chornomorsk
However, the ferry terminal concession was only part of the PPP portfolio presented by the Ministry of Development in the framework of URC2026. In total, it included over 30 projects related to transport, port, railway, road and municipal infrastructure at aggregate cost of ca. 5 billion USD. 15 projects are of priority for launch in 2026.
Oleksii Kuleba noted that priority projects included the following:
– Concession of the Ferry Terminal at the Chornomorsk Sea Port;
– Concession of the Second Terminal at the Chornomorsk Sea Port;
– Northern bypass of Lviv city;
– Border road corridor M-09 / M-10 / M-11;
– Modernization of the Transport Corridor Yagodyn – Kovel – Lutsk (Motorways M-07 / M-19);
– Reconstruction of the Transport Corridor M-15 Odesa – Reni;
– Construction of 10 Service Zones on motorways of international importance;
– Concession of the Sknyliv Intermodal Hub of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”;
– Concession of Kyiv Central Railway Station Complex;
– Concession of Lviv Railway Station Complex;
– Concession of Odesa Railway Station Complex;
– Reconstruction and technical modernization of the Kaidatska Pumping & Filtering Station (Dnipro city),
– Construction of a new line of wastewater treatment facilities in the Uzhgorod;
– Reconstruction of water supply and drainage systems in Khust (Zakarpatska region).
Road and bridge repair, development of border infrastructure
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development reported on important agreements based on the results of URC 2026. In particular, they reported on signing an agreement with EIB, which will provide over 470 million EUR for restoration of critical infrastructure and business support.
Road and bridge repair, development of border infrastructure aimed to strengthen ties with the EU – that was included in the list of key areas of financing in the framework of such agreement. 96 million EUR have been allocated to this area. In the framework of such agreement, a little more amount (i.e. 100 million EUR) will be aimed only at the pilot program of modern social housing in five cities of Ukraine for IDPs and young professionals.
The Ministry of Finance reported that both Ukraine and the World Bank in Gdansk signed agreements for 3.39 billion USD in order to support the state budget and to continue key reforms.
Such financing package provides that 1.4 billion USD will be spent on development policy, i.e. loan in which 500 million USD will be provided to us under the guarantee of the United Kingdom, while 540 million USD dollars will be secured by Japan.
The Ministry of Finance reported that by late June 2026, Ukraine should receive in aggregate 3.35 billion USD to the general fund of the state budget. Such funds will be directed to supporting macro-financial stability and financing priority budget expenditures. One more share amounting to 40 million USD will be used to capitalize interest.
Among the interesting things there are prospects for localizing helicopter production in Ukraine with the American company Bell Helicopters. The Ministry of Economy called this direction as “having the potential for development of industry, technologies and creation of new jobs”.
What was requested for railway
Oleksii Balesta, the Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development, reported that Ukraine received from the World Bank a grant for 10 million USD aimed to strengthen protection and restoration of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”.
He noted, a separate railway panel was held in Gdansk for the first time within the URC. During the discussion, clear and positive signals were heard for Ukraine; he emphasized, Europe understands that railways, transport and critical infrastructure concern not only logistics, but also security and stability of the entire continent.
Meantime, the Deputy Minister informed that Ukraine signed an agreement with Sweden for 1 million EUR for the first steps in implementing the European ERTMS rail traffic management system.
In the framework of G2G meeting with representatives of Switzerland, special attention was drawn to finalization of the agreement on providing support in order to strengthen stability of various sectors. Part of the funds in the framework of this project will be allocated for supply of high-tech track equipment for JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”.
The Ukrainian delegation in Gdansk spoke with Magda Kopczynska, the Director General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission, about possible solutions for financing projects that enhance sustainability of the Ukrainian railway and its integration with the EU transport system. Also, discussion with the relevant ministers of Norway touched an opportunity to supply passenger trains to Ukraine. Approaches to further cooperation on development of the border railway connection between Ukraine and Poland were agreed with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Poland.
During URC2026, the Ukrainian delegation sought practical solutions for attracting locomotives to Ukraine with Andris Kulbergs, the Prime Minister of Latvia. Oleksii Balesta noted, now there are not so many countries that have locomotives for our track width in sufficient quantities.
There were no more expectations
Alyona Shkrum, the First Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, summing up the Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine, held the following speech: “It is good that Gdansk was not canceled”.
She noted the fact of signing an agreement with EIB, which “we were working towards for a year”, and in the framework whereof “funds for water and restoration of logistics” will be provided. She also explained what has been prescribed by that the Memorandum of Understanding on Security and Connectivity Initiative, signed between the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission and EIB. Alyona Shkrum noted, it lays foundation for financing 4 sectors of the country: infrastructure, transport, power supply and digital infrastructure. It also paves the way for 120 million EUR for border infrastructure and funds for restoration of transport and communications.
The Deputy Minister also announced that in the framework of URC2026 the first contributions of countries to the Transport Support Fund were obtained for restoration of transport.
Viktor Dovgan, ex-Deputy Minister of Infrastructure for European Integration, still staying in Gdansk, gave the CTS a quick comment on how he assessed the Recovery Conference held this year.
He noted, there were no special expectations from this event: “Just a month ago, at the pre-URC in Rzeszów, it was clear that the Ukrainian topic was becoming toxic for Polish politicians. The plans announced in Rome to sign loan and grant agreements aimed at reconstruction of large projects were not implemented. In fact, work on the agreement, based on the principle of the 2016 loan agreement (it provided 100 million EUR for development of checkpoints), whereunder Polish companies would have to participate in tenders and to build something here, ceased in May at the ministerial level. No one from the Polish side wanted to take this loan”.
Viktor Dovgan added, the story with Mr. Navrotsky and the White Eagle developed later, after a certain coolness was felt during the preparation for URC2026. Ex-Deputy Minister highlighted, “Politicians feel the mood of their voters, even if they are not ultra-rightists. On the sidelines, they told us: how will we explain to a Polish voter that we are giving Ukraine money on credit? In fact, only Polish companies that were counting on privileged financing lose from this”.
Viktor Dovhan sums up URC2026, “There are friendly relations, good meetings, dinners, brotherhood… but there are no specifics. In my opinion, Rome was more specific. There were higher expectations. In Rome, Poland announced 40 mechanisms to promote exports to Ukraine in the framework of the Team Poland for Ukraine project. It concerned both grants and loans – albeit small ones, from 200 thousand EUR, but it demonstrated drive. As the result, there is nothing… But what should we do? This is the decision of their politicians. We remain friends, we are going to Kyiv and we hope to see everyone next year in Tallinn”.
In a less political and more practical way
On Friday afternoon, the Reconstruction Agency spoke in more detail about three agreements regarding its projects entered into at URC 2026.
In particular, they explained that the financial agreement (Tranche B) for 96 million EUR has been provided in the framework of the project Improvement of Motorway Networks in the framework of the EU initiative Solidarity Roads.
They also announced a grant agreement for 50.05 million EUR in the framework of the projects Transport Communication in Ukraine – Phase I and Transport Communication in Ukraine – Phase II and III.
The official statement says, “These agreements will provide financing for projects to be launched by the Reconstruction Agency, including, in particular, construction of transport interchanges in Kyiv region and capital repair of public roads of state importance in Lviv, Rivne and Kyiv regions”.
They confirmed that, according to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Security and Connectivity Initiative between the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission and EIB, a new agreement is being signed aimed to develop checkpoints and access roads. It will be implemented by the Reconstruction Agency in 2027-2029. Alyona Shkrum reported, total framework of the agreement will make up 120 million SUR. However, the Development Agency noted that first tranche amounting to 60 million EUR has already been agreed. Yuliia Sirko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, noted that after political speeches in the official part, the conference in Gdansk has shifted to a less political and more practical direction. She commented, “All hope is in negotiations between businesses and private investors”.