Russian Grain Exports Disrupted by Ukrainian Strikes on Vessels

At least five vessels involved in grain shipments have been attacked near Russian ports since the start of the week, according to Bloomberg. The attacks occurred amid intensified Ukrainian strikes on commercial vessels and port infrastructure in the Black Sea.

The affected vessels were hit while loading or attempting to load wheat at the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. Four vessels were attacked on Tuesday morning, with another struck on Monday. The Russian-flagged bulk carrier Victoria V was damaged in Novorossiysk, where it was due to load 7,000 tons of grain.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Fehu was hit after leaving Novorossiysk with a cargo of wheat but managed to continue its voyage. The Malta-flagged Elina B continued toward the Bosphorus after being struck while loading around 56,000 tons of wheat in Novorossiysk.

The San Marino-flagged bulker Necibe was attacked by drones at the port of Tuapse, where it was due to load 20,000 tons of wheat. The Liberia-flagged Anna S was heading to Novorossiysk to load barley when a drone strike caused a fire onboard, leaving it unable to continue its voyage.

The attacks come amid growing problems for Russian grain exports through the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. According to Bloomberg, drone attacks have completely halted shipments from Russia's Azov Sea ports since July 10, which account for around a quarter of the country's grain exports.