By comparison, Romanian port operators handled 8.6 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain in the whole of 2022. At its peak so far, Constanta handled 25 million tonnes of grain per year, which Panait said will be exceeded in 2023. "There is an accelerated course and everyone on it, the state, the port authority, port operators aim to boost operating and transit speeds, and the grain quantities," he said. Freight logistics group TTS (TTS.BX), which handles agricultural products, minerals and chemicals on the Danube river, completed the takeover of Constanta port solid bulk cargo operator Decirom S.A. earlier this month. It is one of five eastern EU countries that experienced an influx of Ukrainian grain as a result of Russia's invasion, leading the EU to approve temporary restrictions that meant grain could only transit through the countries.

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Persons: Viorel Panait, Panait, TTS, Izmail, Luiza Ilie, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Monday, Constanta Port Authority, Reuters, Constanta Port Business Association, Freight, Decirom S.A, EU, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Romania's Constanta, Russia, Constanta, Hungary, Serbia, Romanian, Romania, Ukraine, Reni, Ukrainian, Vadul Siret