Gdańsk port eases Constanța's overflow as Ukrainian cargo reroutes

The ongoing shelling of Ukrainian Black Sea ports has created a significant bottleneck at Romania's Port of Constanța, forcing shipping lines to reroute vessels from Odesa and Chornomorsk. This sudden influx has overwhelmed the port's capacity, leading to severe congestion and logistical challenges.

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The port is overloaded after redirecting ships from Odesa and Chornomorsk. There is a shortage of vehicles, and 413 cars were in line at the Orliwka – Іsakcza ferry crossing, which is for 3 days and 16 hours.

Alexandr Tsurkan, president of SafeLogic, described the situation as dire, noting a lack of available space and extensive queues. "The port is overloaded after redirecting ships from Odesa and Chornomorsk. There is a shortage of vehicles, and 413 cars were in line at the Orlivka – Іsakcza ferry crossing, which is for 3 days and 16 hours," he stated. Tsurkan warned that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, drawing parallels to the severe disruptions experienced in 2022 when container shipping rates fluctuated daily by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

"We do not recommend Constanța in the coming months," Tsurkan advised, highlighting the escalating costs. Shipping a container from Constanța to Kyiv now costs roughly the same as importing one from Rotterdam. This surge in demand and cost is prompting a shift towards alternative routes, with North Sea ports and Poland's Tri-City ports, including Gdańsk, experiencing a notable increase in inquiries and traffic.

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We do not recommend Constanța in the coming months.

Tomasz Rejek of the Pomeranian Road Transport Association confirmed the trend, observing a significant rise in Ukrainian trucks at the Tri-City ports. "In recent weeks, I have seen significantly more Ukrainian trucks in the Tri-City ports. The Baltic Hub parking lot is full of these trucks," he said. Wojciech Łojewski from Balticon also noted an increase in empty trailers returning from Ukraine. Ukrainian carriers have established their own freight forwarding companies in Poland, utilizing Polish NIP numbers, and some of these firms are reportedly operating with significant capital and resources, further integrating into the Polish logistics network.

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In recent weeks, I have seen significantly more Ukrainian trucks in the Tri-City ports. The Baltic Hub parking lot is full of these trucks.