Grain from the Ukraine: Millions of tons shipped via the Danube

As of: 08/28/2022 6:27 p.m

Because of the Russian war of aggression, an estimated 20 million tons of grain are stored in Ukrainian silos. A large part is now being shipped again via the Black Sea ports – but more and more also via the Danube.

According to Ukraine, more and more grain is being shipped via the Danube. On Saturday alone, eleven ships were heading towards the Ukrainian Danube ports of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk – more than at any time since the war began six months ago, the Infrastructure Ministry said. They can transport a total of 45,000 tons.

According to the ministry, more than four million tons of grain have been shipped out of the country via the Ukrainian Danube ports since March.

After the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Black Sea ports of the attacked country and thus important export routes were initially blocked for months. On July 22, Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the UN, each separately signed an agreement with Turkey to allow exports from Ukraine from three ports.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure, eleven ships were heading for the Ukrainian Danube ports of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk on Saturday alone.

It is estimated that more than 20 million tons of grain products are stored in Ukraine. The coordination center established in Istanbul with the grain deal at the end of July announced at the weekend that a million tons of grain and other foodstuffs had been exported via the Black Sea route to date. A total of 103 ships have set sail, 46 from Ukrainian ports and 57 towards Ukraine.

In addition to the Black Sea, Ukraine can also ship grain via the Danube. However, this way is considered to be more cumbersome. Ships first have to travel up the Danube to Cernavoda and from there via the Danube-Black Sea Canal towards the port of Constanta. The rail system in Romania is also possible, but still insufficient.

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