Ukraine considers alternatives to unload the border with Poland

Container transportation on the Danube from the ports of Izmail and Reni, as well as by the Black Sea from the ports of Greater Odesa, will help relieve the border with Poland. This was stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure.

According to the minister, the first container ships are expected to leave and arrive in Odesa in the coming months. Currently, part of the container transportation is carried out through the ports of Poland, and then the containers are transported to Ukraine by truck.

«If we return to container transportation from the ports of Greater Odesa, we will definitely relieve some of the traffic,» Kubrakov said.

The head of the specialized agency noted that work is underway to provide more alternatives for carriers. In particular, it is about opening additional checkpoints.

«I hope that we will soon open an additional new checkpoint with Hungary, and reformat the existing Luzhanka checkpoint to allow empty trucks to pass through, thereby increasing its capacity,» said Kubrakov.

The Minister said that at the end of March this year, it is planned to open a joint additional checkpoint with Moldova, which has been undergoing repairs in recent months.

«We also expect to open a new checkpoint with Romania this year. With Poland, by the way, too. The project, which we started building several years ago, will be completed this year. We are not stopping, we are adding new ones and expanding the existing ones,» he said.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Ukraine plans to create an additional export route via the Danube to avoid transportation through Poland. Bloomberg reported this in February, citing Oleksandr Kubrakov. According to the minister, the plans for this year are to remove all artificial obstacles for exporters. In addition, the ministry is working to improve domestic logistics.