New Import Gas Routes to Ukraine: Launch of the ‘Vertical Corridor’ and Discounted Supplies
As part of the strategic initiative ‘Vertical Corridor,’ aimed at expanding and strengthening natural gas supplies to Ukraine, two new international routes are being prepared for launch, offering imported gas at attractive rates.
This development is set to significantly enhance the country’s energy security and bolster regional cooperation.
The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector operator, ICGB (Interconnector Greece Bulgaria), together with partners from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, is actively working on implementing two new routes — Route 2 and Route 3.
These routes are crucial components of diversification strategies, intended to provide Ukraine with additional resources by broadening supply sources.Specifically, Route 2 starts at the Alexandrupolis LNG terminal in Greece and passes through Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova en route to Ukraine, allowing direct access to liquefied natural gas (LNG).
This route enhances Ukraine’s energy independence and provides access to alternative gas supplies.
Route 3 begins at the TAP and IGB pipeline junction and follows the same path to Ukraine, ensuring increased supply volumes.These new routes further reinforce ICGB’s role as a central artery, connecting southern supply sources with Southeast European markets, Ukraine, and Moldova.
Participants agreed on a 25% discount from the standard monthly tariff, with ICGB and Ukraine’s GTS operator offering the highest regional discount of 46%.
This initiative aims to make gas imports more affordable and flexible through a unified auction system with fixed prices.Currently, gas supplies via Route 1 started in July 2025, with volumes growing to 416,000 cubic meters per day during the first two weeks of August.
Overall, more than 10 million cubic meters of gas have been transported in July and half of August, illustrating increasing demand and active supply chain operations.
However, the full implementation of Routes 2 and 3 still requires regulatory approvals from the transit countries.The ‘Vertical Corridor’ project unites the gas transportation systems of Central and Southeast Europe, creating new supply pathways.
Its goal is to reduce dependence on individual suppliers, diversify energy sources, and improve regional energy security.