Danube can handle an additional 100 thsd tons of cargo per month — NIBULON

NIBULON proposes introducing a transitional mechanism for obtaining qualification documents for river fleet specialists, which would help ease staffing constraints on the Danube. According to the company, such a solution could add up to 100 thsd tons of cargo transportation capacity per month to the Danube export corridor.

With Ukrainian seaports operating under restrictions, the Danube has once again become one of the key alternative routes for exports. The necessary infrastructure and fleet are already available, but their utilization is constrained, among other factors, by a shortage of qualified crew members. Part of the problem is related to procedures for obtaining new qualifications or retraining for work on inland waterways.

NIBULON says it could deploy an additional 12 tugboats on the Danube, but this would require resolving the retraining and documentation issues for around 30 specialists. Other shipowners face similar constraints, leaving technically ready vessels unable to be fully utilized for transportation.

The company proposes introducing a temporary mechanism for granting and confirming the qualifications of river fleet specialists until the full transition to European rules is completed. This would allow professionals with the necessary training and experience to obtain documents for working on the Danube more quickly without lowering professional competence or navigation safety requirements.

According to NIBULON Logistics Director Serhii Kalkutin, an additional 100 thsd tons of monthly capacity would help support purchases from Ukrainian agricultural producers, increase foreign currency revenues and strengthen the resilience of the export system. The company is calling on government authorities and industry participants to jointly develop the transitional mechanism as soon as possible.

Tags: Nibulon, Danube