Ukraine and Romania are launching a permanent coordination center for the operational management of vessel traffic through the Sulina Canal. This step will eliminate delays on the Lower Danube and ensure the smooth operation of the Ukrainian ports of Izmail and Reni in the direction of the EU.
<span><span><span><span><span><span>This was announced by the Institute for Danube Studies.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
It was also decided<span><span><span><span><span><span>to increase the number of inspection teams from the Romanian customs and border services to process a larger number of vessels simultaneously and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>to continue implementing the PRIMUS project, which aims to expand the capacity for nighttime vessel transit through the Sulina Canal.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span><span><span><span><span><span>In addition, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>joint training sessions</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>will be organized </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>for Ukrainian and Romanian shipping agents and customs brokers on clearance procedures in accordance with Schengen Area regulations.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span>The Institute for Danube Studies noted that</span><span><span><span><span><span><span>this involves a transition toward elements of joint operational management of one of the key transportation hubs on the Lower Danube. The comprehensive implementation of these measures will reduce queues and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>make passage through the Sulina Canal significantly more predictable for shipowners, cargo owners, and Ukrainian port operators.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
Previously,<span><span><span><span><span><span>more than 70 </span></span></span></span></span></span>vessels were stuck in a queue on the Danube, waiting for access to Ukrainian ports to load grain for export. The reason was a shortage of pilots and a backlog of other cargoes that were given priority.
Due to the blockade of Black Sea ports, which previously handled 90% of the country’s grain exports, some cargo has been rerouted to Danube riverports. However, their throughput capacity is significantly lower.
Юлія Калабайда