Central Idea

As Russia threatens ships in the Black Sea, a Romanian route ‘Sulina Channel’ provides a lifeline for Ukraine’s grain exports.

Sulina Channel

The Sulina Channel is located in the southeastern part of Romania, specifically within the Danube Delta region.
It connects the Danube River, one of Europe’s major rivers, with the Black Sea, providing a direct route for maritime transportation.
The channel is approximately 64 km long, making it a significant watercourse for shipping and navigation.
It is a vital trade route for cargo vessels, commercial ships, and other maritime traffic entering or leaving the Black Sea region.
The construction of the Sulina Channel dates back to the 19th century when it was developed to improve the navigation of large ships and vessels in and out of the Danube Delta.

The Sulina Channel, the only deep and wide channel among the Danube’s branches, serves as a crucial “riverine expressway” for transporting goods from inland Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea.
Ukrainian grain ships sail from ports like Izmail and Reni on the Chilia Channel to Sulina, where the cargo is transferred to larger vessels.
These vessels proceed to Constanta, Romania’s major seaport, for further transport into the Mediterranean.
This route falls under NATO’s surveillance and protection, ensuring a degree of security against Russian aggression.