Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority Purchases a Modern Danube Push Tug from Romania

The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) has signed a contract with the Romanian shipbuilding company SC Severnav SA for the construction and delivery of a new push tug for operations on the Danube River. The contract value amounts to €5.51 million (UAH 245.78 million excluding VAT), according to the public procurement platform Prozorro.

Contract Scope and Technical Specifications

-       Delivery time: 16 months, destination port — Reni.

-       Payment terms: 40% advance, remaining amount upon delivery.

-       Purpose of the vessel:

·       manoeuvring non-self-propelled barges on the Danube;

·       functioning as a fire-rescue vessel;

·       providing assistance during winter navigation;

·       ensuring operational safety in the Lower Danube ports.

Key Characteristics of the Push Tug

-       Length — up to 31 m

-       Beam — up to 12 m

-       Side height — up to 3 m

-       Draft — up to 1.80 m

-       Displacement — up to 400 t

-       Deadweight — minimum 50 t

-       Speed — at least 10 knots fully loaded

-       Two diesel engines

-       Single-hull design with a lifting wheelhouse

-       Accommodation for up to 8 crew members, with cabins on the lower level

The package also includes spare parts, tools, consumables, and training for six USPA specialists.

Financing and Project Framework

The procurement is financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) under the project:

“Restoration of Critical Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity” (RELINC)

USPA serves as the implementing agency for the component:
“Expansion of Critical Logistics Chains of the Danube River.”

This component supports the modernisation of the fleet, enhancement of port capacity, safety of navigation, and the creation of resilient logistics corridors along the Ukrainian stretch of the Danube.

IDR Commentary

The purchase of a new push tug marks an essential step in strengthening the logistical capacity of Ukraine’s Lower Danube ports — particularly Reni, Izmail, and Ust-Dunaisk. Key takeaways:

-       It is the first vessel USPA is procuring within the RELINC programme, confirming the strategic importance of the Danube transport corridor for Ukraine.

-       Cooperation with a Romanian shipbuilder highlights cross-border industrial integration and the functional interdependence of the Danube region.

-       The tug will significantly improve manoeuvring capacity in conditions of growing cargo flows, especially during wartime and in the context of risks in the Black Sea.

-       With fire-rescue features, the vessel enhances operational safety and aligns with EU river transport standards.

For the Danube macro-region, this step contributes to the technical and institutional upgrade of the Ukrainian Danube cluster, improving the region’s competitiveness within the EU’s transport and logistics system.