Vessel queue at Sulina rises to 95, with at least 10 days needed to clear congestion

Shipping conditions on the Danube remain challenging due to a significant buildup of vessels near the Sulina Canal. As of November 9, 2026, around 95 vessels were waiting at the Sulina anchorage, while approximately 30 more were queued to exit the Danube. According to Danube logistics expert Kateryna Kononenko, reducing the queue to a minimum will take at least 10 days, provided vessel movements remain stable.

On November 9, at least 10 vessels were expected to transit upstream along the Danube, with another eight moving downstream. However, even at this pace, the accumulated queue will remain substantial. Delays are putting additional pressure on Danube logistics and complicating shipment planning, particularly for Ukrainian grain and oilseed exports through the ports of Izmail and Reni.

One of the main challenges remains the limited capacity of the waterways. Although water levels on the Danube are gradually rising, no official decision has yet been made to increase the maximum safe vessel draft. Currently, the maximum safe draft is 7.01 m for the Sulina Canal, 5.3 m for the Bystre estuary and 6.7–6.8 m for the section between Izmail and the 44th mile.

Along the route from the 44th mile through Reni to Galați, the maximum safe draft remains at 6.7 m, while the section between Galați and Brăila is limited to 6.3 m. These restrictions affect vessel and barge loading capacity, which is particularly important for transporting large grain shipments. Insufficient water depth forces vessels to operate below full capacity, potentially increasing transportation costs.

Congestion at Sulina has persisted for some time and has been further aggravated by adverse weather conditions. On November 2, around 90 vessels were waiting at the anchorage, with approximately 20 more queued to exit the Danube. At that time, deteriorating weather conditions were expected to force a temporary four-day closure of the canal. Further vessel congestion could increase delays in Ukrainian agricultural exports and raise freight and demurrage costs for exporters.

Tags: Sulina Canal