Sulina Canal Capacity Must Be Expanded To Develop Ukraine's Danube Ports Expert

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Vitalii Nikula, Director of Izmail Sea Commercial Port, made the comment to Ukrinform during the Rebuilding Ukraine Forum in Bucharest.

“We need certain agreements to increase the capacity of the channels connecting the Danube and the Black Sea. First of all, this is the Sulina Canal, which now plays one of the key roles and is the central entry route for vessels from the Black Sea to the Danube cluster,” Nikula said.

He noted the canal allows passage for vessels with a draft of up to seven meters, carrying both export and import cargoes such as fertilizers, construction materials and other goods needed in Ukraine. The main problem remains limited capacity, with work under way at the level of the relevant ministries in Ukraine and Romania.

Read also: Ukraine must develop new logistics routes through Romania and Moldova - MP

“Work is being carried out by ministries of both countries and by our Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, which is in constant contact with colleagues from the Sulina Canal,” Nikula said.

One expected step is the introduction of night navigation, which he believes would increase cargo handling volumes for both exports and imports.

“We hope night navigation will start soon. This will allow us to boost cargo turnover and process more shipments,” he added.

Another challenge for Danube ports is low water levels, which reduce transport efficiency.

“Ports are facing seasonal drops in the Danube's water level. It is now catastrophically low. Barges that can normally carry 2,000–2,500 tonnes of grain are currently loaded with a maximum of 750–800 tonnes,” Nikula said.

He also stressed the need for investment in port equipment modernization.“As a state stevedore we maintain our handling equipment in proper condition, but investment in upgrading our fleet of machinery would improve efficiency,” Nikula concluded.

As reported, Ukraine exported 2.4 million tonnes of agricultural products in September, equal to 46% of the required potential volume.

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