Danube shallowing forces Izmail port to cut barge loading to 800 tonnes

Reduction in vessel carrying capacity

A sharp drop in water levels in the Danube has caused serious problems for the Izmail Sea Trade Port. Due to critical shallowing of the river, the operator had to significantly limit the volumes of grain barge loading.

As explained by port director Vitaliy Nikula, water transport, which usually has the capacity to carry between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of grain, can currently take on board no more than 750–800 tonnes. Such a reduction in carrying capacity significantly lowers the efficiency of river transport and complicates export logistics for Ukraine.

Negotiations regarding the Sulina Channel

In addition to the river shallowing, a key obstacle remains the limited throughput capacity of the Sulina Channel, which connects the Danube with the Black Sea.

According to Vitaliy Nikula, Ukraine is already conducting negotiations with Romania. The aim of these consultations is to increase the route's throughput capacity and introduce the possibility of night-time vessel passage.