Transit via the Danube to Ukrainian ports extended by 2.5 times

The duration of voyages via the Danube to and from Ukrainian ports has increased significantly – some shipments now take about a month.

This was reported by Avalon Shipping Operations Manager Kateryna Kononenko.

She provided data on three vessels that operated via Izmail over the past month.

Thus, the voyage of the first vessel from Izmail to Egypt took a total of 26 days: from the submission of the notification of readiness on August 19 to arrival in Egypt on September 14.

The second vessel, heading from Izmail to Izmir, is estimated to spend 28-29 days on the entire voyage.

For the third vessel on the Izmail – Egypt route, the total duration of the voyage is expected to be 32-33 days.

For comparison, previously, a typical voyage from Izmail to Egypt, according to Kononenko, took about 12 days: approximately one day of waiting, one day of passage through the canal, three days of loading, one day of exit and about six days at sea.

According to her, currently such a route takes at least 2.5 times longer.

Kononenko also noted that with the approach of autumn and winter, weather conditions in the region will deteriorate more often, which may periodically close the canal to shipping.

In her opinion, there are currently no real prerequisites for a significant reduction in transit time across the Danube to and from Ukrainian ports – unless the full operation of the ports of Great Odesa is restored.