The Administration of Maritime Ports of Ukraine (AMPU) has signed a contract with the Mykolaiv shipbuilding enterprise "Black Sea Yachts" to build two pilot boats. The total contract value is 395 million hryvnias, or approximately 197.5 million per unit.
Pilot boats are not auxiliary vessels of secondary importance. They ensure the passage of large-tonnage vessels in port waters and approaches to them. Without a functioning pilot fleet, port logistics becomes vulnerable — especially when Ukraine is trying to restore maritime exports after months of blockade.
Who are "Black Sea Yachts"
The shipyard from Mykolaiv is publicly known primarily for yachts and small vessels. However, the enterprise has experience with government contracts and production capacity for shipbuilding. The AMPU contract is one of the largest in the company's public history.
The question that immediately arises: why this particular manufacturer and why this price? Available data on tender procedures do not yet provide a complete picture of the number of competition participants and comparative offers.
Price and context
197.5 million hryvnias per pilot boat is approximately 4.7–5 million dollars at the current exchange rate. For comparison: similar vessels from European manufacturers in the pre-war period cost between 3 to 7 million euros depending on class and equipment. The range is wide, and without the contract's technical specifications, it is impossible to assess the adequacy of the amount.
AMPU has not disclosed detailed specifications of the order — neither the class of boats, nor delivery timelines, nor penalties for failure to supply. This is a standard problem with large government contracts in the industry: they are signed publicly, while details remain in documents that must be specifically requested for access.
Why this matters now
The resumption of operations at Ukrainian ports — Odesa, Chornomorsk, Pivdennyi — is not only economics, but a matter of resilience. A worn or insufficient pilot fleet directly affects port throughput and the safety of vessel passage. The state is investing in infrastructure that should pay for itself through increased port fees and cargo turnover.
But the investment is justified only if the boats are built on time, meet the stated characteristics, and enter service — rather than remaining in "under construction" status for years. This type of public oversight mechanism is not yet visible in the contract.
If AMPU does not disclose the technical specifications and delivery schedule, how can the public and industry experts verify whether these 395 million are truly going toward the fleet, and not just on paper?
