Russia cut off Ukraine from the Black Sea: Shipping stopped in one day

Shipping on Ukraine stopped in one day — not a single vessel entered the Black Sea ports on July 22. This is reported by the publication "Country".

It is noted that before that the problems were increasing. After the Ukrainian Armed Forces intensified attacks on Russian vessels in the Azov and Black Seas, the Russian Armed Forces in response sharply increased the intensity of shelling of the port infrastructure of Ukraine, "and, most importantly, foreign vessels."

"Insurance premiums have already increased fivefold, teams began to demand salary increases for risks. The earnings of shipowners on freight fell sharply. And, although the Ukrainian government is actually a guarantor for the buyers of our harvest, it does not give any special guarantees to the carriers of the goods themselves," said Oleg Pendzin, head of the Economic Discussion Club.

If until July 22, 3-4 ships a day still entered the ports of Bolshaya Odessa, then after the largest international container company Maersk announced the temporary cessation of work in the port of Chernomorsk, and an Indian cargo ship was hit and people were killed, the shipowners decided that it was time to stop, Pendzin added.

The fact that the movement of ships to and from Ukrainian ports has been completely stopped for today was also confirmed to the publication by the head of the Coordinating Council of the European Business Association in Odessa and co-chairman of the EBA Customs Committee Alexander Lazarev. According to him, not only ships do not enter for loading grain for export, but also other ships, including those with imports.

"So far, everything has stopped — both exports and imports. What will happen next is still unclear," Lazarev said.

According to the "Country", 80% of all Ukrainian exports go through the ports. In addition, there is a risk that Russia, after stopping shipping to the Black Sea ports, will focus on the Danube ports and problems will begin there, too, the newspaper notes.

As reported, Russia will do everything to block the Ukrainian grain corridor on the Black Sea. This was stated at a press conference by the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, Ukrinform reported. According to Zelensky, a "separate person" will be thrown into this direction.