Purpose. To develop a model of minimizing transportation risks for strengthening the criteria for sustainable and safe positioning of the fleet. Methodology. Scientific research, whose results are given in the presented article, is performed using both general and special methods of cognition. Methods of quantitative and qualitative comparison, content analysis, scientific abstraction and systematization and the method of mathematical formalization were used. Findings. An algorithm of a criterion-based approach to sustainable and safe positioning of the fleet in the presence of international transport market constraints is proposed. A mathematical model has been developed for minimizing transportation risks, which will reduce the current costs of the merchant fleet and, accordingly, contribute to its sustainable and safe positioning. Since it is important for industrial enterprises to reduce the time and cost of delivering raw materials, components, reducing transport costs for delivering products to the consumer, the paper presents forecasting of volumes of container transportations through ports of Ukraine and comparative analysis with the forecast trend of container transportations in the world market. This made it possible to form a tool for determining the appropriate positioning of the fleet. Originality. The study developed an algorithm for a criteria-based approach to sustainable and safe fleet positioning under international transport market constraints and a mathematical model to minimize transportation risks. This allows moving over to the formation of an integrated multimodal transport system and coordinated actions of all market participants in transport services. The efficiency and reliability of the system will be enhanced by the ability to predict the reorientation of routes associated with increased risk and dynamic management of traffic flows. Practical value. The results of the study can be used to create integrated automated information systems for dynamic traffic management using alternative routing of traffic flows to minimize risks. The results of the forecast study on container traffic through Ukrainian seaports can be used for practical or scientific purposes.