Romania–Ukraine | Agreements to Expand Fuel Transport Logistics Routes and Strengthen Energy Cooperation

Agreements to Expand Routes Through Romania

Romania and Ukraine have agreed on concrete measures to expand the logistics infrastructure used for fuel supplies. The agreements were reached following the recent meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Nicușor Dan, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at the end of a meeting focused on the situation on the fuel market and the measures needed to maintain supplies amid the war.

The Ukrainian minister emphasized the importance of routes through Romania and noted that the authorities of the two countries are working at government level to implement the agreements.

Expansion of Rail and Inland Waterway Transport

One of the main areas of cooperation is the development of the logistics capacity of rail and inland waterway routes crossing Romania.

“We have reached concrete agreements on expanding the logistics capacity of rail and inland waterway routes through Romania. We are working at government level to implement them,” said Denys Shmyhal, quoted by the Ukrainian specialized publication Ukrainian Shipping Magazine.

Strengthening these transport corridors is considered important for maintaining the flow of fuel and other goods to Ukraine, as the country’s transport and port infrastructure remains exposed to attacks.

Ukraine Strengthens Its Fuel Reserves

According to the Ukrainian Energy Minister, Ukraine’s fuel market is currently controlled and balanced, while available resources are sufficient to meet consumers’ current needs.

However, the authorities in Kyiv are preparing additional measures in case military risks affect traditional supply routes.

In this context, the Ukrainian government has launched a pilot project for the underground storage of fuel. The plan involves developing a network of underground facilities to protect petroleum products and increase strategic reserves.

A priority is to ensure the availability of diesel fuel for the defense sector and critical infrastructure.

Danube Routes Becoming Increasingly Important for Ukraine

The importance of alternative routes has increased amid Russian attacks on transport, port and energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

On Tuesday, the Odesa region was targeted again, with export infrastructure and the Orlivka border crossing, located on the Ukrainian bank of the Danube opposite the Romanian town of Isaccea, being affected. Ferry traffic on the Orlivka–Isaccea route was temporarily suspended.

Attacks on port infrastructure on the Black Sea have prompted Ukraine to redirect part of its trade flows toward Danube ports and railway connections at the western border.

Reni and Izmail Ports, Strategic Logistics Hubs

The ports of Reni and Izmail, located near the Romanian border, have gained increasing importance for Ukraine’s logistics.

They are used both for Ukraine’s exports and for imports needed by the national economy, including supplies of petroleum products and fuel.

Pressure on the Danube infrastructure also became evident at the end of August, when approximately 80 vessels were waiting to enter the Danube to reach Ukrainian ports. Fuel shipments were among those given priority.

Energy Cooperation Between Romania and Ukraine

Energy cooperation between Romania and Ukraine was strengthened as early as March, during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Bucharest.

The two heads of state signed, among other documents, a framework agreement on energy cooperation, covering the development of cross-border infrastructure and energy transportation.

The projects under consideration include the construction of an electricity transmission line between Chernivtsi and Suceava, as well as the possibility for Romania to use Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities.

The expansion of transport infrastructure and the diversification of supply routes are therefore strengthening economic and energy cooperation between the two countries and contributing to greater regional resilience amid the war.