Cargo traffic on the Danube towards the Romanian port of Constanța has been halted around the river’s 280-kilometre mark due to damage to the fairway. The blockade is affecting the transport of Ukrainian grain to international markets.
This is reported by the Romanian news agency Agerpres, citing a statement from the Constanța Port Business Association (CPBA).
The association said that as of 8 October, no steps had been taken to restore navigable conditions or carry out the necessary dredging works. Resolving the problem requires urgent intervention by the responsible authorities.
Because of the blockade, vessels waiting for cargo transported along the Danube are being forced to remain at anchor for longer and pay additional charges.
“Economic operators cannot be expected to bear costs linked to blockades over which they have no control and which require immediate intervention by the responsible authorities,” the CPBA statement said.
The association warned that the delays are causing losses for port operators, shipowners and cargo owners, as well as other participants in the port economy.
It also highlighted the blockade’s impact on transporting Ukrainian grain to international markets and on the continuity of the logistics corridor, which is important for global food security.
In this context, the Constanța Port Business Association urged the Romanian authorities to promptly restore navigable conditions and river traffic. The organisation also asked that market participants be informed of a clear timetable for the necessary measures.