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Ukraine is ready for Russian attempts to regularly block the passage of cargo ships in the Black Sea, and has found a workaround. It is already used by ships that follow to the ports of the Odessa Bay. The deep water route allows even tankers to pass through. And it is safe for merchant ships to enter the Black Sea ports, ignoring the blockade
Yuriy Vaskov, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine
Since the evening of 13th of February, since this so-called overlap, more than 20 vessels have passed this new recommended route.
Now all Ukrainian ports are operating normally. If Russia completely blocks the Black Sea, carriers will use plan B. Imported goods will be sent to Poland and Germany. But with the export of grain and metal from Ukraine, difficulties may arise.
Viktor Shevchenko, co-owner of a group of logistics companies
We export grain to North Africa, they are our main markets. If the delay is one week – it’s ok, but if it’s one month – it’s a different matter. And in Russia they understand that, it’s one of their worldwide strategies – block the supply of grain, so that hungry refugees would flow to Europe, it’s one of the Putin’s leverages
On February 13, Russia began naval exercises in the Black Sea. They involved more than 30 warships, aviation and coastal troops. Until February 19, the Russian Federation closed part of the water area along the Ukrainian coast of the Black and Azov Seas, it also restricted the passage of ships and impeded maritime transportation, which is important for the Ukrainian economy.
