Ann: Investor presentation - 28 June 2024, page-98

VESCO has resumed direct shipping from Ukrainian seaports to foreign markets. The bulk carrier Super Bergkamp has departed from the Pivdennyi seaport and is headed for Spain. It is the first direct shipment of a large batch of Ukrainian clay in the last two years. This logistical optimisation of logistics is going to reduce the cost of ceramic raw materials and increase the supply of Ukrainian clay on the global market. “The Ukrainian economy is recovering, and the restoration of supply chains is part of that process”, Dmytro Kostornichenko, Chief Commercial Officer of VESCO says. “Resuming the use of these cost-efficient routes will enable VESCO to supply more high-quality materials for European and global producers, thus contributing to the development of the world ceramic industry and strengthening the economic ties between Ukraine and the EU.” The Super Bergkamp carries 52 thousand tonnes of clay for the Spanish company Arciblansa. VESCO is already preparing the next batch for direct shipment by sea, scheduled for mid-April. The reduction in logistics costs will facilitate closer cooperation with businesses from Spain, one of the largest manufacturers of ceramics in Europe.