Ukraine Vows To Protect Black Sea Ports After Russian Attacks Disrupt Key Grain Export Routes

Ukraine will do everything possible to protect its Black Sea seaports and keep grain exports at least at last season’s level despite intensified Russian attacks on port infrastructure, Deputy Economy Minister Taras Vysotskiy said on Wednesday.

The attacks are disrupting commercial shipping, with some shipowners refusing to call at Ukrainian ports and traders suspending grain purchases amid rising security risks.

Ukraine’s main farmers’ union, UAC, said the country has lost about one-third of its grain export capacity through its key Black Sea ports due to Russian missile and drone strikes.

“The state recognises the priority of maintaining agricultural exports,” Vysotskiy told Reuters.

“It will be difficult, but we will do everything possible to preserve minimum guaranteed export volumes to support international food security at a level no lower than last year,” he said.

Russia has stepped up attacks in recent weeks on Ukraine’s Black Sea port infrastructure and on cargo vessels entering Odesa ports to load grain and other agricultural products.

Before the latest attacks, Ukraine had forecast grain exports of around 43 million metric tonnes in the 2026/27 marketing season, which began in July. The country exported more than 37 million tonnes last season.

More than four years into the war, agricultural exports, including grain and vegetable oils, remain Ukraine’s biggest source of foreign currency earnings. More than 90% of these exports are shipped through three ports in the southern Odesa region.

The attacks are also disrupting port operations.

An industry source told Reuters that four of Ukraine’s 13 major grain export terminals have suspended grain purchases because of the attacks.

A second source said at least one terminal had stopped export loading after a chartered vessel withdrew from its freight contract.

Another source said some shipowners were refusing to enter Ukrainian ports because of security concerns.

“Today, a large number of shipowners said they were avoiding Ukrainian ports,” ASAP Agri consultancy quoted Taras Panasyuk, co-owner and head of freight brokerage at its strategic partner Atria Brokers, as saying.

“Existing bookings are being reviewed, while some shipowners have already started cancelling fixtures,” he added.

Russia and Ukraine continue targeting each other’s key infrastructure. Ukraine has struck Russian energy facilities, including oil tankers, while Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports in recent weeks.

Local officials said Russia again attacked port infrastructure in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions on Wednesday.

Ukraine says it remains committed to keeping grain exports moving despite the growing security challenges. However, continued attacks on Black Sea ports, reduced export capacity and increasing caution among shipowners continue to put pressure on the country’s grain export operations.

References: Reuters, NDTV