In brief

• Russian authorities issued permits for grain-carrying vessels to leave the Sea of Azov for the first time since July 10.
• Maritime shipping in the Sea of Azov had been closed due to attacks by Ukrainian drones.
• Through its southern ports, Russia previously exported 60 million tonnes of grain annually.
• Part of the exports is being redirected via Murmansk and the Baltic.

Permits for passage through the Kerch Strait

Russian authorities have issued permits for the passage of vessels carrying grain intended for export from the Sea of Azov. According to seven industry sources cited by Reuters, the permits are valid until November 15 (Russia Issues Permits for First Grain Vessels to Leave Sea of Azov Since July – The Moscow Times). The first resumption of work at Azov ports after a long pause is a noticeable step for Russian exporters (Росія вперше за три місяці відновила експорт зерна через азовські порти – UNIAN).

Why the ports stopped

Moscow restricted shipping on the Sea of Azov on July 10, which led to a halt in shipments from ports on the Don. Subsequently, the Kavkaz port was shut down, and from mid-July shipments from deep-water Black Sea terminals were reduced to a minimum. Some of these terminals were damaged. The cause was strikes by Ukrainian drones.

Significance for exports

Russia exported 60 million tonnes of grain annually through its southern ports, so their shutdown hit exports hard. Reuters sources link the issuance of permits to Russian authorities currently considering passage through the Kerch Strait to the Black Sea as relatively safe.

Military support

According to two sources, the vessels in the Black Sea will be escorted by a Russian naval convoy.

Alternative routes

Russia attempted to redirect part of the grain from southern regions via Murmansk to North Africa. The port announced a test shipment of 29.5 thousand tonnes, of which 3.4 thousand tonnes has already been delivered by the supplier «Demeter-Holding» (Путін змушує прокладати нові маршрути: до Африки через Північний Льодовитий океан – TSN). At the same time, according to Reuters, Moscow also considered Baltic ports and subsidized rail transport from southern regions (Росія почала возити зерно через арктичний маршрут часів Другої світової, - Reuters – UNIAN).

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