AGT's Strategy for the Odessa Port-Side Plant
Agro Gas Trading (AGT) has announced its intention to privatize the Odessa Port-Side Plant (OPZ), with a core focus on restarting its production lines. AGT partner Oleksandr Horbunenko clarified that the acquisition's primary goal is not to resolve the plant's legacy debt issues, but rather to restart operations, bring the workforce back, generate foreign currency revenue for Ukraine, and realize the enterprise's full potential. The privatization of such a major industrial asset is a significant event for Ukraine's economy, attracting close attention from investors and policymakers.
AGT already has direct experience with OPZ, having successfully restarted the plant after a period of idleness in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, the company supplied nearly 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas to the facility, enabling the production of approximately 2 million tons of output. However, a privatization tender for OPZ was canceled in November 2025, and AGT was not permitted to participate. A new attempt to privatize the plant is scheduled for 2026.
Focus on Restarting Operations
Horbunenko further emphasized that while the question of debt obligations must be addressed, resuming predictable production volumes and establishing reliable financial planning would make negotiations with creditors far more manageable. Therefore, AGT's strategy centers on the critical importance of reviving production at OPZ and returning the enterprise to active service. This approach aims to leverage the plant's significant potential in production and exports, which could positively impact Ukraine's foreign exchange market.
The planned privatization represents a crucial step for attracting investment and creating jobs, which is vital for Ukraine's ongoing economic stability. AGT's plan to restore operations and manage debt demonstrates a commitment to making the plant a productive asset once again.