facebook/DTEK
The first cargo ship loaded with deficient anthracite coal arrived in Ukraine from the Republic of South Africa, the press service of Rinat Akhmetov’s DTEK wrote on Facebook.
"Our first ship with South African coal arrived in Ukraine. We will shortly begin shipping the scarce anthracite to the warehouses of our thermal power plants," the report said.
"Due to these supplies, we will be able to prepare for the heating season," the company noted.
As UNIAN reported earlier, DTEK confirmed the purchase of 600,000 tonnes of anthracite coal from South Africa. The arrival of the first vessel carrying some 75,000 tonnes of anthracite was expected in June 2017.
Read alsoOnly one of Ukraine’s five anthracite-fed TPPs still operating - rest halted to save coalAfter the beginning of the blockade of coal supplies from the militant-occupied areas of Donbas late January 2017 and the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of March 15, 2017 to halt cargo turnover with the areas of eastern Ukraine beyond government control, the issue became acute of supplying coal for thermal generation enterprises.
In mid-March, DTEK lost control of its companies operating in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that extract anthracite coal. As a result of coal shortage, in early April, several thermal power plants - Zmiyivska, Trypilska, Prydniprovska and Kryvorizka - have stopped operations.
According to Ukrenergo, thermal generation provides 22.7% of Ukraine’s total electricity production.