Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company begins forming container caravans for shipping to Danube ports

MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDP) is preparing to launch barge container caravans on the Middle and Upper Danube, Ukrainian media reported, citing the Ukrainian Ministry of Restoration on Friday.

"The national carrier, PJSC Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, is already preparing for the launch of barge container caravans on the Middle and Upper Danube," the statement said.

The shipping company offers delivery of containers to the Danube ports of Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and to the Romanian port of Constanta, it said.

Along with transportation, the company provides storage and transshipment in Ukrainian ports, and arranges transshipment in the ports of unloading, the statement said.

The Ministry of Restoration said that following the implementation of a largescale repair program UDP has 25 vessels of self-propelled fleet (20 in reserve) and over 200 barges. The state company has also started consultations with carriers to involve the required number of containers needed to form the first caravans.

The UDP container terminals may become an alternative amid the blockade of checkpoints on the western border, and they will take over the flow of containers from motor vehicles, the ministry said.