[SMM Steel] Ukraine’s containerized steel exports shift sharply toward western rail routes

Published: May 18, 2026 17:16

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[SMM Steel] Ukraine’s containerized ferrous metal shipments by rail reached 10,400 TEU in Q1 2026, down only 3% YoY, while exports accounted for 77% of total volumes. The share of western border crossings surged to 96% from 66% a year earlier, as drone attacks on Danube ports sharply disrupted southern export routes. Containerized steel exports via Danube ports fell 93% YoY to just 116 TEU in Q1. Mostyska II on the Poland border became the key logistics hub, handling 45% of total ferrous metal container traffic. Ferrous metals accounted for 15% of Ukrainian Railways’ total container shipments in Q1, second only to agricultural cargo.

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