Sulina Channel and Ukraine Grain Trade

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Danube River
• Sulina Channel
• News Summary: Sulina Channel and Ukraine grain trade
• What is the route of the alternate path?
• What are the challenges in this route?

Why in news?

• Russia, in overnight drone strikes on August 16, targeted ports and grain storage facilities along the Danube River in Ukraine.
• The Danube delta has provided Ukraine with an alternative passage for its grain after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal last month.
  • The deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey, used to provide safe passage for cargo ships carrying grain from Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi.
• Of particular importance in this ‘new’ trade route is the Sulina Channel connecting major Ukrainian ports on the river to the Black Sea, lying completely within the borders of Romania.

Danube River

Image caption: Danube River course

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• Danube River is the second longest in Europe after the Volga. It flows through several countries and playing a significant historical, economic, and cultural role in the region.
• Origin
  • The Danube River originates in the Black Forest region of Germany, near the town of Donaueschingen. 
  • It begins as two smaller streams, the Brigach and the Breg, which eventually merge to form the Danube proper. 
  • The river then flows eastward, passing through several countries before emptying into the Black Sea.
• Countries it Passes Through
  • The Danube River passes through or forms the border of ten countries, making it one of the most international rivers in the world. 
  • The countries it flows through include:
    • Germany; Austria; Slovakia; Hungary; Croatia; Serbia; Bulgaria; Romania; Moldova; Ukraine.
• Length and Flow
  • The Danube River is approximately 2,850 kilometers long, making it the second-longest river in Europe after the Volga. 
  • It has a significant drainage basin, covering around 800,000 square kilometers.

Sulina Channel

Image Caption: Sulina Branch of Danube

• Location
  • The Sulina Channel is situated in the eastern part of Romania, near the town of Sulina.
  • It connects the Danube River to the Black Sea, providing a direct passage for ships traveling to and from the river and the sea.
    • Sulina is situated at the mouth of the Danube. This channel is a distributary of the Danube River with a total length of 71.7 km.
• Navigation:
  • The Sulina Channel is the primary navigational route for ships entering or leaving the Danube River from the Black Sea.
  • It provides a well-maintained and marked passage that allows ships to traverse the delta region and reach the deeper waters of the river.

News Summary: Sulina Channel and Ukraine Grain Trade

• The Danube delta has provided Ukraine with an alternative passage for its grain after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal last month.
• Of particular importance in this ‘new’ trade route is the Sulina Channel.

What is the route of the alternate path?

• Ships carrying grain from Ukraine leave from Ukrainian ports such as Izmail and Reni on the mainstream (or the Chilia Channel), and head to the port of Sulina, at the mouth of the Sulina Channel.
• From there, they head around 140 km south to Constanta, Romania’s biggest seaport.
• Here the cargo is transferred to bigger ships that carry it out of the Black Sea into the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus straits. 
• This route is under constant surveillance and protection of NATO.

What are the challenges in this route?

• Continued targeting of Ukrainian ports and grain facilities on the Danube by Russia
  • So far, Russia has desisted from attacking NATO-controlled territories.
  • However, continued targeting of Ukrainian ports and grain facilities on the Danube can be crippling.
• Capacity of Ukrainian ports
  • Ukraine has historically not used the Danube for grain exports, relying instead on its rail network and Black Sea ports.
  • This has meant that the capacity of Ukrainian ports to handle the volume of grain suddenly coming their way is fairly limited.
• Congestion on the Channel
  • Another problem, given the sheer traffic on the Channel, has been congestion at its mouth. 
  • Boats are having to wait for days before they can enter the Channel, causing major delays in shipping.

Q1) What is Black Forest Region of Germany?

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is a mountainous region located in southwestern Germany, primarily in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, dense forests, charming villages, and cultural attractions. The Black Forest is a popular tourist destination and is known for its outdoor activities, traditional crafts, and distinctive cuisine.

Q2) What is Black Sea?

The Black Sea is a large inland sea located between southeastern Europe and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It is bordered by six countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey. The Black Sea is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosporus Strait and the Sea of Marmara to the south, and to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait to the northeast.

Source: The importance of the Sulina Channel to Ukraine grain trade | Britannica | Researchgate