SIMIC

MAERSK is dipping back with a limited box-on-barge service in Ukraine, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Maersk announced that it is using the port of Reni, Ukraine for container on barge shipments, with service connecting through the Romanian Port of Constanta.
The route is now fully operational via the Constanta/Danube Channel and the Black Sea, with a transit time of 1.5 days.
Due to a Russian blockade, Ukraine's saltwater ports remain closed to all merchant shipping.
However, the riverine ports on the northernmost branch of the Danube Delta (the Kiliysky or Chilia estuary) are away from the patrols of the Russian Navy.
"Logistics operations in and around the country remain challenging, however, we are pleased to inform you that Maersk is now able to offer direct bookings to Ukraine from across the world - alleviating a frequent customer pain point over the past year," said Maersk.
The grain trade at Reni is also looking up thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment by USAID and two Ukrainian partners, Kernel and Nibulon investments.