Five Ports in Three Countries Could Form a Joint Logistics Hub on the Danube: Izmail and Reni Among Key Participants

Ukraine, Romania and Moldova could establish an integrated logistics hub on the Lower Danube, bringing together five ports: Izmail, Reni, Galați, Brăila and Giurgiulești. The initiative aims to improve cross-border transport efficiency, attract investment and develop a regional logistics system to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The proposal was presented on October 22, 2026, in Bucharest during the international forum “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investments”, organised by the Romanian think tank New Strategy Center.

New Strategy Center Director General George Scutaru emphasised the need to move from developing individual ports towards establishing an integrated logistics system involving all three countries. Such an approach would facilitate infrastructure coordination, improve the use of port capacities and attract international financing.

One of the main priorities is increasing the capacity of the Sulina Channel, which provides access from the Danube to the Black Sea. Izmail Port Director Vitalii Nikula and Reni Port representative Serhii Makohoniuk stressed that navigation restrictions directly affect Ukrainian export and import volumes.

Matthias von Tucher, head of the Giurgiulești International Free Port, proposed harmonising border and customs procedures and introducing greater specialisation among ports according to cargo categories. This could reduce duplication of infrastructure investments and strengthen the competitiveness of the regional transport system.

One potential model involves using Galați Port to receive larger seagoing vessels, followed by cargo transportation to Ukrainian ports on smaller barges. Similar logistics arrangements are already used for Ukrainian grain exports.

Forum participants also discussed port infrastructure security, the protection of navigation and measures to counter military and hybrid threats.

Commentary by the Institute of Danube Research

According to the Institute of Danube Research (IDR), the proposed five-port logistics hub is strategically significant for the development of the Lower Danube region and deeper economic integration between Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.

The main advantage of this model is the transition from competition between individual ports towards cooperation based on their complementary capabilities. This would allow the Lower Danube to develop as an integrated transport and logistics area connected to European supply chains.

However, establishing such a hub requires more than modernising port infrastructure. It also involves ensuring reliable navigation through the Sulina Channel, improving railway and road connections, digitalising cargo operations, simplifying cross-border procedures and strengthening transport infrastructure security.

Particular importance should be attached to developing a coordinated investment programme involving all three countries, supported by European Union financial instruments and international financial institutions.

For Ukraine, it is essential that the joint logistics system contributes to modernising the ports of Izmail and Reni, preserving their competitiveness and expanding cargo-handling capacities.

The IDR considers this initiative a potential foundation for long-term transport integration across the Lower Danube, capable of strengthening the economic resilience of border regions, supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reinforcing the region’s role within European logistics networks.

At present, however, the initiative remains at the discussion stage, and its implementation will require interstate agreements and specific investment decision