Ukrzaliznytsia prepares alternative export routes if Ukraine’s Black Sea ports remain closed

Ukraine’s state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia has started preparing for a possible long-term disruption of exports through the ports of Greater Odesa. The company has asked agricultural exporters to specify their preferred export destinations so it can prepare alternative logistics chains via the Danube ports and western rail border crossings.

Currently, less than 10% of agricultural cargo moves through Ukraine’s western rail border crossings. To increase capacity if needed, Ukrzaliznytsia is assessing demand for alternative routes and inspecting about 3,850 rail bogies used for transferring wagons to the European 1,435 mm gauge. Additional personnel may also be deployed to border crossings to improve throughput.

Representatives of the agricultural sector also urged Ukrzaliznytsia to negotiate with neighboring railway operators on reducing freight tariffs, particularly for transit through Moldova, and to provide updated information on the actual capacity of western export corridors. The railway company said it would prepare the requested data.

Tags: export, agricultural products, Ukrainian ports, rail transportation