The European Barge Union (EBU) is concerned about the safety of crews on board barges operating in grain exports from Ukraine following recent Russian attacks. It calls on the European Commission to take action.
After Russia previously bombed the port of Reni, the port of Ismajil was also attacked early this week. Both ports near the border with Romania are important export ports for Ukrainian grain and other goods. EBU is concerned about the continuity of those shipments. 29 million tonnes of grain and oilseed were already transported via the so-called Solidarity Route between May 2022 and the end of February this year. Half of that was transported aboard barges via the Danube. According to EBU, it is thanks to the Solidarity Route that Ukraine can import much-needed food, fuel and humanitarian aid.
At loggerheads
After the bombing of the port of Reni and the Zakota Bridge, most of the ships retreated to Romania. The bombing of the port of Ismajil earlier this week further inflamed the situation. The shipping companies and skippers involved, who until now have handled these vital transports for supplying important parts of the world’s population, can no longer guarantee the safety of their crews, EBU said. In the near future, therefore, grain shipments will rely heavily on the already existing shortage of sailing personnel but increasingly on the willingness of crews to still operate in those ports.
Risk
“EBU is deeply concerned about the risk faced by crews under these conditions and condemns Russia’s devastating attacks on this vital infrastructure. This jeopardises future exports of Ukrainian grain and oilseed. With the grain harvest approaching, this could have a huge impact on food supplies on the world market,” stressed Philippe Grulois, EBU president.
Call to European Commission
According to EBU, the barge operators concerned are determined to continue playing their role in supporting Ukraine in this difficult situation. Late last month, Flemish skipper Fabian De Wachter reported that he was still waiting in Constanza (pictured) to be unloaded from a cargo of grain. He would then sail on to the port of Reni, but due to the situation there, he remained in Romania for the time being.
The inland navigation organisation is calling on the European Commission (EC) to minimise risks and do everything possible to ensure the safety of crews. EBU is also counting on the EC to take on all insurance coverage in the current situation and calls for a solution to the lingering administrative hurdles such as unnecessary phytosanitary, veterinary and customs checks.
