The entry of vessels to Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea has been temporarily suspended. This was announced by the country’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotsky.
According to sea-news.az that the minister stated this step was taken not by the government, but directly by shipowners against the backdrop of increasing Russian attacks on port infrastructure: “Starting from today, the entry of vessels has been suspended. This is a decision of the shipowners; Ukraine has not restricted anything.”
T. Vysotsky noted that Ukraine has sufficient product storage capacity and alternative logistic routes.
Concerns regarding the safety of vessels are already reflected in the decisions of international logistics companies. Danish shipping giant Maersk announced that it is suspending calls to Ukrainian ports and will redirect its cargoes to Romania’s port of Constanta.
Regarding the issue, the sides accused each other. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the attacks dealt a heavy blow to global food security. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that they will continue to strike vessels carrying weapons and ammunition to Kyiv.
