Three significant grain terminals along the Black Sea coast, including Novorossiysk KSK, Novorossiysk Grain Terminal (NZT), and ZTKT in Tamani, have ceased accepting grain delivered by truck.
According to reports, grain ports in the Azov Sea suspended operations approximately two weeks ago, following restrictions imposed by Russian authorities on maritime traffic through the Kerch Strait.
Since July 22, authorities in Russia banned nighttime navigation in Novorossiysk due to the risk of attacks on vessels, leading to a sharp decline in the number of grain trucks willing to access Black Sea ports. A source for Reuters noted, “The risks have increased, and fewer bold and reckless individuals are willing to take the chance.”
In this context, Russian wheat exports in July have dropped to their lowest level since 2017, marking a one-third decrease compared to the same month last year and half of the average July figures from the past five years.
Sources indicated that Russian authorities are considering redirecting grain shipments to Baltic ports, which currently have no restrictions, as well as to the Caspian Sea.
Context
- Ukrainian grain trade in the Black Sea has also been severely impacted by Russian attacks.
- In mid-July, Ukraine’s maritime administration reported a significant escalation in Russian strikes, with 23 attacks on Ukrainian ports and 17 on civilian vessels during the first two weeks of the month.
- These assaults resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, including port workers and foreign sailors. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, 1,002 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged or partially destroyed, along with 221 civilian vessels and 283 civilian casualties.
