Pilot flights were difficult, because they coincided with the period of shallow water. Nevertheless, even under such conditions, the new logistics route turned out to be successful.
The duration of flights on the Middle Danube is up to a month. Caravans pick up ore in Ukraine, deliver it to Smederevo (Serbia), unload, wash, go up to Hungary, where they load grain and head back to Constanta, Romania.
We are quite satisfied with the profitability of the flights. Unlike the "old UDP", the "new UDP" works directly with cargo owners - one of the largest metallurgical plants in Europe and a large international grain trader. In addition, during the entire flight, fuel consumption and compliance with the flight task are monitored online.
If our caravans can operate 24/7, it will reduce the caravan turnaround time by about a week. Which will increase profitability by another 20%.
Working 24/7 requires the presence of three shipmasters with diplomas of category "C" in the crew. Despite the chronic shortage of boat drivers on the Danube, such teams have already been formed in the UDP.
The UDP fleet helped the state at a critical moment in the blockade of Odessa ports. We continue to earn foreign exchange revenue for the country's budget, but now already under long-term contracts on the Middle Danube.