Constanța gives priority to Romanian cargo over Ukrainian grain

Ukrainian grain does not receive priority in rail shipments to Romania’s port of Constanta, with some terminals handling domestic cargo first. A representative of Romanian rail operator Unicom Tranzit said this during an August 19 meeting of Ukrzaliznytsia with Romanian and Moldovan carriers.

The situation is complicated by heavy congestion at the port of Constanta, which is handling not only grain but also other cargoes. Even after receiving port acceptance, trains may have to wait 2–5 days and, in some cases, up to a week before being unloaded.

A shortage of European-gauge wagons is another constraint. According to Unicom Tranzit, most of this rolling stock is already being used for domestic shipments in Romania, so Ukrainian cargo is currently transported mainly in wagons requiring bogie exchange. Only two European-gauge train sets are available for the route via Vadul-Siret.

Due to these delays, a full wagon turnaround on the Vadul-Siret–Constanta–Vadul-Siret route can take up to 10 days. This significantly limits the potential to increase Ukrainian grain exports by rail through Romania.

Unicom Tranzit also said that some terminals in Constanta, including ADM and Chimpex, handle trains carrying Romanian cargo before accepting Ukrainian shipments. With the port already heavily congested, Constanta’s capacity as an alternative route for Ukrainian grain exports therefore remains limited.

Tags: Constanta, Ukraine, grain, Romania, Moldova