The redirection of export flows to the Black Sea ports has provoked a crisis in Ukraine’s river transport market.

In response to a crisis in the river transportation market, the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDP) is switching to reduced working hours and optimizing the number of staff, which currently consists of more than 1,000 employees. The main reason behind this decision is the need for more support for the export route across the Danube. Danube ports could compete with Odesa ports for Ukrainian agricultural products, but discounts on railway transportation to Izmail would be necessary. In addition, abnormal heat and shallowing of the river has made it difficult for barge caravans to move on the Middle Danube. In August, several shipping customers stopped their shipments because of the risk. Crop losses due to the heat have also caused a reduction in the volume of agricultural products. The UDP started cutting costs not through payroll but by stopping all investment projects except for modernization. It was previously reported that freight rates in the Danube ports fell due to the redirection of export flows to the Black Sea ports, and several investment projects were stopped.