No route can completely replace the ports of Great Odesa — TEUS

The Danube and Romanian ports can accept part of the cargo flow from Great Odesa, but no alternative route can fully replace the capacity of deep-sea ports.

This was reported by TEUS Director Dmytro Kazanin.

According to him, the ports of Great Odesa are not officially closed, but the movement of vessels has practically stopped. For business, the decisive factor is not the formal status of the port, but the ability to charter a vessel, insure risks, agree on a vessel call and fulfill the contract on time.

Currently, many shipowners refuse to call at Ukrainian Black Sea ports, revise already confirmed voyages or demand significant surcharges for the risk. This affects the export of grain, vegetable oils, meal, metals, fertilizers and raw materials, as well as container and general cargo.

The ports of Reni and Izmail can accept part of the volumes, in particular through transportation by barges and small vessels. At the same time, the Danube route is limited by draft, low water levels, a shortage of barges, additional overloading and the risk of congestion in the event of simultaneous redirection of significant volumes.

Another alternative remains the Romanian ports, primarily Constanta and Galati. Cargo can be delivered there by rail, road or the Danube with subsequent accumulation and loading onto sea vessels.

However, such a route requires more time, coordination and transshipment. In addition, Ukrainian cargo competes with Romanian exports for warehouses, railway capacity, barges, berths and windows for ship calls.

Read also: Suspension of the ports of Great Odesa. What market participants expect and how they adapt