REGION IN FOCUS

At approximately 06:00 - UTC+3  on 24 February 2022, Russia announced the launch of a special military operation in eastern Ukraine. Due to attacks in mainland Ukraine and the declaration of Martial Law, as of February 25th all Ukrainian ports have suspended commercial operations and are closed to navigation and vessel traffic by order of the Ukrainian Navy.

There are at least five instances of attacks against commercial vessels and the situation in and around Ukrainian territorial waters remains fluid and dangerous.  Insurance providers are individually assessing quotations on calls in areas affected by fighting and additional premiums are being sought where the insurers are willing to write cover. 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held an extraordinary session of its Council (C/ES.35) on 10 and 11 March to address the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.  The Council called for a 'blue safe maritime corridor' to allow the urgent evacuation of seafarers and ships from affected areas in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and to allow humanitarian deliveries to Ukraine's ports.

As a result of the invasion, the port of Constanta started receiving Ukrainian diverted vessels and Ukrainian/Moldovan cargo for most vessels that ceased calling Ukrainian ports since Feb 24th.

Stellar has been working closely with clients, shippers, freight forwarders and receivers of cargo to find solutions to Ukraine bound cargoes. So far we have been able to deliver Ukrainian bound cargoes to the the ports of Livorno, Piraeus, Derince and Constanta.

The Russian ports of Novorossysk and Tuapse are reported to be operating normally although there are concerns of the effect of US and EU sanctions that can eventually cause them to interrupt cargo operations and thus force them to order their ships to sail away from the area. On February 28th Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai burning the depot. 

Navigation of the Azov Sea is fully suspended since February 24th due to the closing of the Kerch Straits as ordered by the Russian Kerch Authority. All approaching ships are ordered to drop anchor and await further instructions. As of August 2022 vessels carrying grain need special  permission by the Ministry of Infrastructure to enter and depart Ukrainian ports.

UPDATE 01/03/2024

Odessa

The port city of Odessa is the main goal of the offensive. Despite periodic missile attacks, major infrastructure damage at the port has not been reported. The city continues to be barricaded due to frequent attacks. Initial shelling and bombardments were reported on the April 23rd 2022 and daily through May 6th 2022.  On August 1st 2022, a bulker carrying corn was the first vessel to depart Odessa since the beginning of the conflict. Under a special agreement, only vessels with explicit permission by the Ministry of Infrastructure can enter and depart Ukrainian ports. The grain deal expired on July 17th 2023. Odessa port remains partly operable, with the port of Chornomorsk currently being used by bulk carriers carrying grain outside of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Mykolaiv

Mykolaiv had been in the epicenter of the conflict during the first weeks of the offensive. The situation at the port continues being extremely dangerous. On March 2, a missile hit the superstructure of a Bangladeshi flag  bulker, in the port of Olvia in Mykolaiv. The port remains inoperative.

Yuzhny

While no damages are currently reported at the port, vessels are experiencing volatile conditions. According to Ukrainian sources, a Panamanian flag Bulker was hit by missiles while at anchorage. The port remains closed with all operations halted.

Mariupol

Due to Mariupol's strategic position and proximity to Crimea, the city has been the target of repeated artillery shelling and has also been under a naval blockade. Port infrastructure has been reported damaged with communications cut since the early days of the invasion and complete power grid disruption. The city is reportedly under Russian control as of 4/18/2022. Russia has declared after the end of the Azovstal siege in May 20th 2022 that is in full control of Mariupol, including port and storage government infrastructure. Russia annexed the occupied territory in September 2022.