Russia Restricts Nighttime Shipping At Black Sea Port Of Novorossiysk After Ukrainian Drone Attacks

Russia has temporarily restricted vessels from entering and leaving the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk during nighttime hours after a series of Ukrainian drone attacks, according to three grain industry sources cited by Reuters.

The restrictions, which are in place from midnight to 5:00 a.m. local time, affect Russia’s largest port by cargo volume.

Novorossiysk is a key export hub for grain, oil, metals and containerised cargo. The restrictions come as Russia steps up security measures to protect commercial shipping and port infrastructure.

The sources said the order was given verbally and that no official document had been issued to shippers. They added that the port continues to operate normally during the day and that grain exports have not been affected.

Novorossiysk handles up to one-third of Russia’s grain exports and is expected to receive more grain shipments diverted from the Sea of Azov after earlier navigation restrictions were introduced there.

The nighttime restrictions follow other security measures introduced this month in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

A government order published on July 21 banned vessels from anchoring in areas not covered by air defence systems near the ports of Azov in the Sea of Azov and Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait.

The Transport Ministry said the measure was introduced to ensure the safety of shipping and protect the lives of crew members.

The latest restrictions come days after Ukrainian drones attacked the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s marine terminal in Novorossiysk during oil loading operations, causing a fire on one of the two tankers that were hit.

In April, another nighttime drone attack set a Transneft facility in Novorossiysk on fire. The facility serves some of Russia’s largest oil tankers.

Russia’s average monthly oil exports have fallen to their lowest level in eight months, mainly due to the prolonged shutdown of the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk.

Novorossiysk remains one of Russia’s most important commercial ports, handling grain, crude oil, metals and container cargo.

Industry sources said the overnight restrictions have not affected grain exports so far. However, news of the temporary measures pushed September wheat futures on the Euronext exchange up by 4.5%.

Security risks continue to affect shipping on both sides of the Black Sea. Danish shipping company Maersk has suspended services from Chornomorsk’s fishing port in southern Ukraine until further notice and is redirecting cargo to Romania’s Port of Constanța.

Ukrainian grain exporter Kernel has also taken similar steps, while Ukrainian authorities say Chornomorsk’s deep-water port and other ports in the Odesa region remain open despite continued attacks on port infrastructure and commercial shipping routes.

References: newsukraine, Reuters