NIBULON tested new river grain transportation method

For the first time on the route Mykolaiv-Nova Odesa, the company NIBULON transported grain applying a new logistical step on the river Southern Bug (Pivdennyi Buh)—the caravan consisting of a pushtow, port tug and 4 barges (instead of the usual single pusher tug and 1-2 barges).

The company marks that the implementation of such a solution optimizes the company's river logistics chain along the Southern Bug, thus improving environmental and infrastructure efficiency along this route. In addition, each such voyage provides for shipping of more than 9,000 t of cargo instead of 4,000 t by two barges on the river from Nova Odesa and Voznesensk to the outer roadstead of the Mykolaiv seaport.

9,000 t is not the limit for the barge-tugboat fleet consisting of 4 barges, as it is merely 70% of the total carrying capacity of these vessels. Besides, when using modernized vessels of B5000M project, cargo transportation per voyage can be more than doubled, NIBULON says in a statement.

"For a higher load of barges, dredging of rivers should be initiated and carried out at the state level," the message reads.

As a reminder, NIBULON received a EUR 25 mln loan from the EBRD to continue development and maximise utilisation of river logistics networks among other things.

In 2020, NIBULON delivered a record volume of cargo by inland waterways.