Sulinа Canal closed to shipping due to high waves
14.09.2026 - 16:43
The Sulina Canal was temporarily closed to shipping on September 14 due to high waves.
This was reported by Avalon Shipping Operations Manager Kateryna Kononenko.
According to her, about 75 vessels are currently waiting to enter the Sulina roadstead. Another 15 vessels are inside the Danube at mile 44 and are waiting to exit.
Navigation is expected to resume early in the morning of September 15.
Kononenko also noted that in recent days the number of vessels in the queue at Sulina has begun to decrease. This is due to the increase in the number of vessels that pass the canal daily.
Currently, port control of all vessels is carried out directly at the Sulina roadstead. After inspection, only vessels that need to replenish their fresh water supplies proceed to the berth. Most of them immediately continue their movement through the canal after completing the formalities.
Some vessels have also chosen alternative routes.
According to Kononenko, the maximum safe draft for passage through the Sulin Canal is 7.01 m, through the mouth of the Bystre – 5.5 m, and on the section from Izmail to the 44th mile – 6.8 m.
USM previously reported that the tonnage deficit and congestion on the Sulina pushed up rates for grain transportation from Ukraine.
