Russia Boosts Ship Security Amid Drone Threats in Black Sea
Russia has announced plans to boost security measures for ships in the Azov-Black Sea basin after recent drone attacks on maritime vessels. The move follows a sharp escalation of hostilities at sea by both Russia and Ukraine, with each side attacking agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels.
The Russian transport ministry has established a task force to identify alternative cargo routes and switch some shipping to other modes of transport. Several stevedoring companies have expressed their willingness to handle additional cargo volumes and accelerate shipment rates at their terminals.
The development comes amid warnings from Russia's main grain lobby group that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ships could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea in the near future, pushing up global prices and causing food shortages in Africa and the Middle East. Ukraine's largest farming union has also expressed concerns about the impact of Russian strikes on shipping near the southern port of Odessa.