Three Russian grain terminals restrict grain intake amid Black Sea risks

Three major Russian Black Sea grain export terminals have restricted grain deliveries by truck due to rising shipping risks and the redirection of cargo flows following restrictions on traffic through the Sea of Azov. Reuters reported the development, citing industry sources.

According to the sources, the affected facilities are the NZT and KSK terminals in the port of Novorossiysk and the ZTKT terminal in the port of Taman. Together, the three terminals have an annual grain handling capacity of more than 20 mln tons, while Russia’s total seaborne grain exports amount to about 50 mln tons per year. The terminals supply grain to major Russian buyers, including Egypt and Turkey.

After Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian grain vessels in the Sea of Azov, Russia imposed restrictions on shipping in the area. As a result, grain from the country’s southern regions has increasingly been redirected to deep-water Black Sea ports by road and rail. At the same time, attacks on Black Sea infrastructure have intensified in recent weeks, further disrupting logistics.

Reuters reported that the terminals in Novorossiysk continue to accept grain delivered by rail, although such shipments are only possible from southern Russian regions. Around one-third of the grain handled by these terminals arrives by truck, while the ZTKT terminal relies exclusively on road deliveries. A nighttime ban on vessel movements in the port of Novorossiysk also remains in force due to security concerns.

Sources said the Port of Kavkaz, previously used to transfer grain from smaller vessels in the Sea of Azov to larger bulk carriers, ceased operations almost immediately after shipping restrictions were introduced in the Sea of Azov. This has further reduced Russia’s export capacity through its southern ports.

Market participants expect Russia to further diversify its export routes, with Baltic ports likely to become the preferred and safest alternative. The Caspian Sea route also remains an option, although it is mainly used for shipments to Iran, where risks have also increased due to the situation in the Middle East and a recent attack on an Iranian vessel. According to Reuters’ sources, cargo volumes through the Caspian Sea have not increased significantly since mid-July.