Ukraine’s Danube Shipping Company is currently in negotiations with Romania’s Constanta Black Sea port seeking approval for ship-to-ship grain transfers. This innovative move, if validated, could potentially almost double the firm’s barge export capacity.
Once authorized, this shift marks a crucial milestone in the country’s tumultuous grain export landscape. Ukraine is renowned globally as a leading provider of grain but took a significant hit following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, which subsequently choked their most significant Black Sea ports.
Overcoming Obstacles: The Revival of Danube River Ports
Ukraine’s Danube river ports, which previously contributed only a quarter of grain exports, have come into the limelight to salvage the grain export operations. The port has become pivotal to the country’s harvest shipment strategy, with a considerable amount of the harvest being transported via barges to Constanta for future overseas dispatch.
According to the port authority, Ukraine delivered 8.1 million metric tons of grain via Constanta within the initial seven months of 2023, exceeding the cumulative volume exported in 2022. The grains have been transferred to port silos using the traditional mediums – road and rail.
Romania’s Sustained Support: Plans for Expansion
Romanian authorities continue to play a significant role in aiding Ukraine’s ambitions to maintain grain export amid the current crisis. Sorin Grindeanu, Romania’s Transport Minister, recently expressed his optimistic view about Romania’s plan to expedite the monthly transit capacity for Ukrainian grain via Constanta to four million tons within the next few months.
Unveiling the Future of Grain Export: Strategic Enhancements
As per a recent release on the Telegram messaging app, DSC reported a consistent grain export flow via Constanta, with its river fleet constituting approximately 60%. More than 700,000 tons of agricultural products are regularly delivered to the Romanian port each month.
The Danube Shipping Company has elaborated on its forward-thinking plans aimed at streamlining the existing export operations. These include the establishment of three more anchorages near Constanta, one exclusively assigned for Ukraine, and the creation of a Ukrainian port operator in Constanta. Such enhancements project increased volumes and reduced waiting times, currently reported to extend up to 60 days.
Ukrainian seaport authorities recently shed light on the active efforts facilitated by the government to explore alternative export avenues for its grain. As part of these expansion plans, preparations are already underway to further extend the boundaries of Ukraine’s Danube ports, enabling efficient cargo transfers between anchored vessels.
