Cargo transshipment at Pivdennyi port means working with the deepest berths in Ukraine’s operating hub: draught reaches 19 m, and the port handles Capesize bulk carriers that other ports cannot load to full capacity. The cargo profile here is dry bulk and chemicals plus containers at the deepwater TIS terminal. Below — which cargoes move through Pivdennyi, how the process is organised by cargo type, and what part of that chain Dragon Maritime takes on.
- up to 19 mdraught at berths
- Capesizelarge parcels
- 3 typesdry bulk · liquid · containers
- 10+ yearshandling cargo in the hub
What cargo moves through Pivdennyi port
Pivdennyi is a universal deepwater port skewed towards mass cargo. Iron ore, coal, pellets, grain and oilseeds, fertilisers and chemicals (urea, ammonia, methanol), vegetable oil and oil products pass across its berths, while containers go through the TIS terminal. Depth is the main argument: one Capesize parcel instead of several small voyages lowers the rate per tonne. For berths, depths and cargo flows, see our Pivdennyi port profile.
By cargo type, transshipment splits into three streams, each with its own technology and its own set of documents: dry bulk in bulk, liquids over a rack, and containers via quay cranes. Here is how each works in practice.
Dry bulk transshipment: truck and railcar → vessel
Dry bulk (grain, ore, coal, pellets) is transshipped along two basic schemes: truck → vessel and railcar → vessel. A tipper discharges into a receiving hopper, from which a mobile hydraulic handling machine with a grab or a telescopic loading conveyor with a chute feeds the cargo straight into the hold. Hopper wagons are discharged through a mobile unloader onto a conveyor. The stevedore coordinates the operation and forms the cargo layer in the hold.
Free-flowing cargo is weather-sensitive, and that directly affects timing. When wind speed exceeds 12 m/s, bulk handling is stopped to avoid dusting and cargo loss; in rain, fog or poor visibility, outdoor work is also halted. Grain additionally needs moisture control (around 14%) and phytosanitary supervision with survey.
Book the laycan for a deepwater parcel in advance: berth, draught and vessel parcel all have to line up on a specific date. Paperwork ahead of the ship — phytosanitary, survey and customs declaration ready before arrival — saves days of demurrage.
Liquid and LPG transshipment over the rack
Liquids (oil products, chemicals, liquefied gas, liquid fertilisers) are transshipped over a loading rack along the vessel ↔ road tanker or vessel ↔ shore scheme. For LPG, transfer runs on the pressure difference between vessels: a compressor forces vapour into the tank being emptied and draws it from the one being filled. This is a high-hazard mode, so the rules are strict — tanker filling no higher than 85%, earthing, non-sparking gear, a gas analyser and a continuous spill watch.
The ship operation follows ISGOTT: the stevedore and the ship’s command agree the transfer plan, working and limiting pressures, signals and emergency stop, and complete the ship/shore safety checklist. Mooring for loading is allowed in an onshore wind up to 7.4 m/s and an offshore wind up to 10 m/s; in a thunderstorm or wind from 15 m/s, rack operations are prohibited. The same liquid infrastructure in principle suits both oil products and liquid fertilisers — a terminal of this type is multi-product.
Containers and general cargo
Containers at Pivdennyi run through the deepwater TIS terminal — the deepest container terminal in the country. Here transshipment hinges not on grabs and racks but on quay cranes, a correct bill of lading and a customs declaration. For universal and ro-ro cargo, Odesa and Chornomorsk work nearby in the hub — the choice of port depends on the parcel type and draught.
What Dragon Maritime takes on
Transshipment is not just a crane and a conveyor but a stitched chain: the port call, documents, customs, survey, coordination with the stevedore. We close it as a single window. We match the berth to draught and tonnage, clear the ship’s arrival through ship agency, move the cargo through customs clearance and organise the cargo transshipment itself — dry bulk, liquid or container. The cargo owner deals with one contact, not five separate contractors.
Need cargo transshipment at Pivdennyi port?
We will match the berth and terminal to your cargo and draught, clear the port call and customs, and run the operation without idle time. A quote — based on your cargo and route.
FAQ
What cargo can be transshipped at Pivdennyi port?
Dry bulk (grain, ore, coal, pellets), liquids (oil products, chemicals, liquefied gas, liquid fertilisers), chemicals and fertilisers in bulk, and containers at the TIS terminal. The port is deepwater, so it is especially advantageous for large bulk parcels.
Why choose Pivdennyi for transshipment?
Because of depth: draught up to 19 m at the berths allows Capesize vessels to be loaded to full capacity. One large shipment instead of several small voyages lowers the freight rate per tonne. For universal and ro-ro cargo, Odesa and Chornomorsk operate in the hub.
What affects the timing of dry bulk transshipment?
Weather and document readiness. When wind exceeds 12 m/s, bulk handling is stopped because of dusting; in rain and fog outdoor work is halted too. Idle time is cut by phytosanitary, survey and customs documents prepared in advance and by a booked laycan for the ship.
How are liquefied gas and liquid cargoes transshipped?
Over a loading rack along the vessel ↔ road tanker or vessel ↔ shore scheme. For LPG, transfer runs on the pressure difference, tanker filling no higher than 85%, with earthing, a gas analyser and a spill watch. The ship operation follows ISGOTT; in a thunderstorm or strong wind, loading is prohibited.
Can transshipment and the port call be arranged in one place?
Yes. Dragon Maritime runs the chain as a single window: ship agency for the port call, customs clearance, organising transshipment and coordination with the stevedore. The cargo owner works with one contact across the whole call.