As an operational port for Ukraine's import and export trade, the Danube River port has played an important role in promoting the development of food trade and transportation. However, due to the small operating scale of the Danube River port, only by further increasing its business can it meet the global demand for food.
Daria Sichkar, Manager of the Logistics Committee of the European Business Association, pointed out that if the port's capacity needs to be further increased, in addition to investing in the port, better infrastructure needs to be equipped, which is the main problem currently facing the Danube River port.
Although private enterprises are willing to invest, they are also worried that the Russia-Ukraine conflict may have an impact on the new logistics chain.
Ukraine's active ports have also been affected by external logistics. It is reported that Romania did not pay attention to Ukrainian goods flowing in through the Danube River, which led to congestion in the Sulina Canal, which is connected to the ports of Reni, Izmail, and Kilia.
According to Lloyd's Daily ship tracking data, it is expected that more than 20 ships waiting to pass will dock at ports on the Danube River. However, since not all ships have submitted their destinations, the actual number of berths may be higher.
As of early June, the average waiting time for ships was 10 days or even longer. The European Business Association pointed out that a vessel that cannot be docked is expected to cause a loss of $500000 per day to Ukrainian exports.
In order to alleviate the problem of port congestion, the association is still trying to communicate with relevant enterprises, but there have been no changes so far. Recently, the association proposed several solutions and raised this issue with diplomatic officials from the United Nations, the European Union, and Ukraine in Romania, which is still under discussion.
It is reported that the number of ships waiting for passage at the Constanta port is gradually increasing, and it also holds an important position in Ukrainian trade.
Recently, Yuri Vaskov, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, publicly stated that "Ukraine's western border and Danube ports are now the channels through which Ukraine conducts import and export trade.
According to Reuters, Romania is working to restore a train route that can connect the Danube River to Ukraine to help transport food.
According to data from Ukrainian consulting firm GMK Center, the cargo throughput of the Danube River port has increased by nearly four times compared to February. It is reported that the Danube River port simultaneously receives imported goods from Ukraine, and the joint growth of imports and exports has brought pressure to port operations.
At present, other small inland ports in Ukraine are increasing their port capacity in an attempt to improve the transportation of goods.
However, Ukraine is not entirely reliant on Danube ports for transporting goods, and ZF and local enterprises are actively seeking alternative routes, including transporting goods through ports in the Baltic Sea.
At the same time, further applications will be submitted for the import and export of goods through Gdansk Port, the largest port in Poland.
