Sea exports of metal in containers have almost disappeared from Danube ports

Ukrainian container exports of ferrous metals have almost completely reoriented to western border crossings.

In the first quarter of 2026, Ukrainian container exports of ferrous metals have almost completely changed logistics due to a reduction in transportation through seaports on the Danube, writes GMK Center. 

According to the results of January-March, 96% of containers with metal products were sent through western border crossings. A year ago, this figure was 66%.

At the same time, container exports of steel through Danube ports, in particular Izmail, collapsed by 93% – from 1670 to 116 TEU. The share of this direction in total exports decreased from 18% to 1%. The reorientation is associated with systematic drone attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube, which led to damage to ports, vessels and cargo.

The key land hub for container exports of metal products has become the Mostyska II station on the border with Poland. In the first quarter, 45% of all container shipments of ferrous metals passed through it.

In total, in the first quarter of 2026, Ukrzaliznytsia transported 10.4 thousand TEU of ferrous metals in containers, which is 3% less than a year earlier. Export remains the main segment of such shipments – it accounts for 77% of the total volume. Earlier, metallurgists turned to the government due to the new tariffs of UZ to the ports of Odesa.