Russia to reroute exports away from Sea of Azov following drone attacks – Reuters

Russia is preparing to reroute grain shipments away from the Sea of Azov following Ukrainian drone attacks on tankers, ferries, tugboats and other vessels.

Source: Reuters

Details: Around a quarter of Russia's grain exports pass through the Sea of Azov.

Following Ukrainian attacks, on 14 July shipping in the Sea of Azov remained restricted, marking the biggest disruption to Black Sea grain trade since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Ministry of Agriculture said the situation would not affect export volumes or domestic food security, as grain could be rerouted through alternative ports.

"Given Russia's significant capacity for handling agricultural cargo in various regions, supply logistics will be rerouted if necessary," the ministry stated.

However, neither the Ministry of Agriculture nor the Ministry of Transport, which published a separate statement, confirmed that shipping restrictions are in place in the Sea of Azov.

Nevertheless, on 13 July, a Russian source told Reuters that commercial vessels can move freely in the Sea of Azov but cannot enter or exit through the Kerch Strait.

Grain exporters said cargo could be rerouted through deep-water grain terminals on the Black Sea or through Baltic Sea ports, although some of the latter have come under Ukrainian drone attacks.

Background: On the night of 13-14 July, Ukraine's Forces of Unmanned Systems damaged five tankers, five dry cargo vessels and one tugboat; over nine days, drones struck 116 vessels in total.

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