Businesses propose revising heat-related road restrictions to Ukraine’s Danube ports

Due to high temperatures, daytime restrictions on heavy trucks are in effect from 10:00 to 20:00 on roads leading to Ukraine’s Danube ports. The restrictions apply, in particular, to routes between railway unloading points, warehouses and the ports of Izmail. As cargo unloaded from rail wagons must then be transported by truck for 2–15 km to ports and berths, the restrictions disrupt the entire logistics chain.

According to business representatives, truck movement restrictions reduce daily cargo handling capacity by around two-thirds, affecting the entire chain from rail wagon unloading and short-distance truck delivery to vessel and barge loading. As trucks remain idle, rail wagons accumulate on public station tracks and private sidings, while delivery times and logistics and transshipment costs increase.

Businesses are proposing a review of the current restrictions on roads leading to the Danube ports, including controlled exemptions for port-bound cargo and allowing truck movements based on actual road-surface temperatures and axle loads. Other proposals include expanding night-time operating windows and providing targeted funding for repairs to roads used to transport cargo to the ports of Izmail.

Tags: Danube ports