Up to 70 vessels are waiting near the Danube's Sulina Canal for access to Ukrainian ports to load grain for export, traders and analysts said on Wednesday, with a shortage of pilots
Up to 70 vessels are waiting near the Danube's Sulina Canal for access to Ukrainian ports to load grain for export, traders and analysts said on Wednesday, with a shortage of pilots and priority given to other cargoes creating long delays.
After Russian attacks effectively blocked Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which had handled 90% of the country's grain exports, some shipments were rerouted through Danube river ports, which have much lower capacity.
Grain cargoes are competing for access with higher-priority shipments such as fuel, slowing exports. Frequent air raid alerts, which force the suspension of all port operations, have added to the disruption.
Ukraine is one of the world's biggest grain exporters and disruptions to its shipments can drive up global prices.
'THE SITUATION COULD WORSEN'
"As of August 25, more than 50 vessels were waiting to pass through the Sulina Channel, while only five to seven vessels per day were moving towards Ukraine's Danube ports," consultancy ASAP Agri said.
The consultancy said on Telegram that each day of delay can cost up to $8,000, adding to already high freight rates.
"The situation could worsen if weather conditions deteriorate in the coming days," it added.
Katerina Kononenko, operations
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