Danube

The Romanian Shipping Canals Administration has completed the modernization and expansion of the capacities of the Luminița port on the Danube-Black Sea canal.

From now on, vessels heading to Ukrainian ports on the Danube will be allowed through the Sulina Canal in accordance with the order formed by the USPA.

The water level of the Danube in the Ukrainian section in the first 15 days of August was only 38–43% of the norm — the minimum August level in the Rhine has been updated.

Limited tonnage supply allows shipowners to maintain high rates for the transportation of Ukrainian grain.

Low water levels are forcing barges to take on fewer cargoes, and shipping on the Danube is becoming more expensive at a time when Ukraine is increasingly dependent on alternative export routes.

There are almost no orders for “handysize” and larger vessels, while Danube costers are still finding cargo and continue to increase in price, albeit more slowly.

Due to restrictions on the work of Ukrainian ports due to terrorist attacks by the Russian Federation, the company was able to ship only two ships.

Rail grain deliveries to the ports of Great Odesa decreased more than sixfold, and some flows were reoriented to the western border and the Danube.

The waiting time for vessels to exit the Sulina Canal has increased to 2–3 days due to the increase in the number of vessels.

The decline in the water level on the Danube complicates fuel logistics in southern Ukraine, where the supply of the resource remains limited.