Railway

In August, the number of wagons with grain cargo transported by rail through the western border crossings increased.

In the first 25 days of August, Ukraine exported 461 thousand tons of grain cargo by rail — 67% less than in July.

In the first 20 days of August, Moldovan Railways transported 15.7 thousand tons of agricultural cargo in transit.

Ukrainian grain is transported in Ukrainian wagons, so its transit does not limit Moldovan farmers’ access to the wagon fleet.

After increasing risks for sea exports, Ukraine is again actively looking for alternative routes for cargo. One of these directions was railway transit through Moldova, where the local railway agreed to a 50% discount on the transportation of Ukrainian goods until the end of 2026.

In the text, USM, together with TEUS owner and director Dmytro Kazanin, explains why this decision is important for exports and imports and how it can change logistics through Reni, Izmail, Giurgiulesti and Romanian ports.

Over the 11 days of August, Ukraine exported 41.5 thousand tons of oil by rail, of which 89% were transported through western border crossings.

Reducing tariffs for cargo transit through Moldova by 50% can restore competitiveness to the railway route and increase cargo flow towards the port of Reni.

“Moldova Railways” has agreed to a 50% discount on transit freight until the end of 2026.

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 average daily grain load on the railway network of Ukraine in the first five days of August decreased to 26.6 thousand tons compared to 51.5 thousand tons in July.