Low Danube water levels threaten Romania’s grain logistics

The Danube’s water level in Romania has fallen to its lowest point since 1996. As a result of the unusually low water levels, authorities have restricted the use of water for irrigation, while navigation has been partially suspended along several sections of the river.

According to Reuters, the Danube’s flow rate at Romania’s entry point stood at around 1.7 thousand cubic meters per second on July 19, well below the July average of approximately 4.7 thousand cubic meters per second.

Large sandbanks have emerged along the river near the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Several ferry crossings have been temporarily closed, while grain barges have been forced to remain idle.

The situation could affect the country’s agricultural logistics, as Romania is one of the European Union’s largest grain producers and exporters. The Danube is also a key route for transporting agricultural commodities to Black Sea ports.

Authorities in southeastern Romania have already restricted farmers’ access to irrigation water. At the same time, reservoir levels are being carefully managed to maintain the minimum water supply required to cool the two reactors at Romania’s Nuclearelectrica nuclear power plant.

Low river levels are also being recorded in other parts of Europe following prolonged periods of heat and drought. Romania’s water management authority expects the Danube’s water level to begin gradually recovering from July 20 after heavy rainfall in several regions of the country.

Tags: river shipping, Danube ports