PJSC "Ukrainian Danube Shipping" started transporting grain by barge caravans from Hungary to the port of Constanta in Romania.
As announced, we are starting long-term cooperation with a large world-class grain trader. The barge caravans of the shipping company, which are heading to Serbia with Ukrainian ore, will start transporting grain on the way back. Currently, the first caravan is being washed after unloading the iron ore raw material (ZRS) in Smederevo. After that, it will be ready for loading in the Hungarian port of Chepel. Then Constanta, Izmail and again the Middle Danube," the press service said.
The line is currently operating in pilot mode.
The UDP stressed that they are building a long-term business model with the prospect of maintaining cargo flow even after the restoration of the full operation of the ports of Great Odesa. That is why the shipping industry is finding strategic partners and developing work models on the Middle Danube.
The task is to ensure high profitability and fast turnover of the fleet, even on a long shoulder. For the old UDP, the work on the Middle Danube for the transportation of military equipment and grain ended in bankruptcy. For the new UDP, it should become the basis of sustainable development. We strictly control fuel consumption, have introduced online monitoring of vessel movements, qualitatively improved the provisioning system, abandoned spacers and brokers, and work directly with the cargo owner. Therefore, even long and difficult flights are profitable for us," the message reads.
Over time, thanks to cooperation with IFC, it is planned to solve the problem of the obsolescence of traction. The modernized self-propelled fleet will receive modern ecological engines (Stage V certified) with significantly lower fuel consumption, which is key for long-haul operations.
PJSC "UDP" carries out river freight transportation on the Danube. The company operates more than 20 self-propelled cargo river fleet and approximately 200 non-self-propelled vessels, which allows for the operation of approximately 20 barge caravans.
In 2022, the company transported 1.8 million tons of cargo by sea and river fleet. The basis of cargo in 2022 was grain and metallurgical raw materials. In addition, the company began to develop the direction of container transportation and launched regular container caravans.
According to the results of 2022, PrJSC "UDP" received more than UAH 1 billion in profit after a loss of UAH 38 million for the previous year.