Ukraine comes under starter's orders

Ukraine will have to wait a little before its yards receive the numbers of new building orders that they would like and need but, with patience, the country looks set to enter the international new building race. In anticipation of this, foreign equipment companies are establishing footholds in the country in the belief that it will become a major market for them. With building expertise already in place, the necessary commercial knowledge is now being acquired by Ukraine's five major shipyards, enabling them to become international competitors. With yards such as 61 Kommunars looking to spend some $5 million on imported equipment for each of its 270,000 ft3 reefers, some exporters have already made sales.