Grain Logistics: Faster Driver Recruitment, but Repairs Delay Constanța Route

For agricultural companies planning harvest transportation, two key factors are simultaneously changing: driver availability and the capacity of the railway route through Romania.

The government has simplified obtaining certain driver categories for truck combinations, but infrastructure works are ongoing on the route to the port of Constanța. Therefore, the ability to recruit drivers more quickly does not eliminate the risks of irregular railway deliveries.

Categories for truck combinations — no annual waiting period

Obtaining categories BE, C1E, and CE no longer requires waiting a year after the initial categories B, C1, or C is issued. This change aims to facilitate access to employment for drivers involved in transporting agricultural cargo.

The removal of the waiting period does not automatically grant the category: candidates must undergo retraining according to the established program and pass a practical exam at the MVS service center. Age requirements, basic categories, and professional skills confirmation remain in effect.

The simplified procedure is valid during martial law and for six months after its termination or cancellation. For carriers, this offers an opportunity to consider candidates more rapidly, but training and skills verification should be factored into hiring plans.

Romanian railway repairs affect shipment rhythm

Works on the Suceava — Dornești section limit freight transfers, including grain, towards Constanța. Electrification was planned to be completed by late November 2026. After the works, an increase in train weight norms and transportation speed is expected.

Reconstruction at Medgidia station is ongoing. Once completed, it is expected that cargo handling and wagon positioning at Constanța terminals could increase by nearly 1.5 times.

Until the projects are finished, shipments via the Romanian route may remain irregular. An additional limitation is the shortage of wagons available for Ukrainian cargo: part of the rolling stock is engaged in grain transportation in Romania and other European countries.

What to check before dispatching cargo

• Coordinate with the carrier regarding wagon availability and possible transfer times on the Romanian route.
• Allow extra time for irregular operations in sections under repair.
• For road transport, verify whether the candidate has the necessary basic category and the possibility to undergo retraining and exams.
• When planning regular shipments, monitor carrier updates on the progress of works in Romania.

Implications for the market

Simplifying access to categories BE, C1E, and CE expands opportunities to form driver teams but does not eliminate training requirements. For grain exporters, the route through Constanța remains promising after infrastructure works are completed, but cautious planning of timelines and wagon availability is necessary in the near term.