Ships Avoid Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports As Russian Attacks Escalate
Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest exporters of corn, colza, sunflower seeds and vegetable oil and 90% of its commodity exports also pass through the Black Sea ports in and around Odesa. Russia and Ukraine account for 30% of global wheat supplies.
However, the attacks on ships and strikes on port infrastructure in the region have led to major shipping companies like Maersk and Hapag Lloyd to halt operations at Black Sea ports such as Chornomorsk, one of Ukraine’s deepwater terminals.
An official from Hapag Lloyd said that recent missile and drone attacks in Odesa have increased the operational and security risks.
However, the Ukrainian market is being served through road and rail routes across Poland and Romania.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister…