Ukrzaliznytsia Restricts Transport: Grain Export via Reni Under Threat

Starting November 3, 2026, state-owned JSC Ukrzaliznytsia has implemented conventional restrictions on the operation of its grain hopper cars along specific railway routes leading to the Danube port of Reni, as well as toward Romania and Moldova. These bans specifically target railcars marked with the 'UTLC' designation, which stands for the Ukrainian Transport Logistics Center. This is evidenced by data from the list of conventional restrictions published on the official website of Ukrzaliznytsia, as reported by AgroPolit.

Particularly, pursuant to dispatch order No. CD/94, grain transportation in UTLC railcars destined for Reni and Reni-Naliv stations in Odesa Oblast has been officially restricted. Another directive, order No. CD/93, introduces a direct ban on transport operations passing through Reni-Export, Reni-Export (CFR), Reni-Naliv, and Reni-Port-Export stations toward Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania.

In addition, restrictions have been imposed on utilizing UTLC grain hoppers for shipments heading to Romania via the Vadul-Siret border crossing. These measures are stipulated by Ukrzaliznytsia orders No. CD/91 and CD/92. Meanwhile, certain exemptions remain in place for this specific route: it is permitted to accept railcars and cargoes running on the 1435 mm european track gauge, as well as to conduct loading operations directly from Vadul-Siret station.

It is emphasized that these restrictions apply to all cargo consignees without exception, but target exclusively Ukrzaliznytsia's grain hopper cars marked with the 'UTLC' attribute. Such logistical bottlenecks could significantly challenge Ukrainian agricultural exporters relying on Danube river ports and western land crossings.

Against this backdrop, market participants have also noted recent price increases for Ukrzaliznytsia's grain carriers and tank cars within Ukraine. Grain industry stakeholders continue to monitor the situation closely as transport constraints threaten export flows.