World's largest container carrier halts voyages to Novorossiysk

The world's largest container shipping company, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., has suspended accepting new orders for shipments to and from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The decision took effect immediately after one of the company's container ships was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea.

Bloomberg reports this with reference to a notification MSC sent to clients. The suspension of shipments is also confirmed by industry publication Lloyd's List.

The vessel in question is the container ship MSC ULSAN III. According to the company, the ship was attacked by a drone while en route to Novorossiysk. MSC did not specify exactly when the incident occurred or how seriously the ship was damaged.

After the incident, the carrier decided to halt new cargo bookings both to Novorossiysk and from the Russian port.

MSC stated that it continues to monitor the situation. Clients were advised to contact the company's Russian representative office to find alternative cargo delivery routes until security conditions allow the resumption of regular weekly services via Novorossiysk.

An employee of MSC's Russian office confirmed to Bloomberg that the company's operations in Novorossiysk are currently suspended. At the same time, the carrier continues to work through other Russian ports, particularly St. Petersburg.

MSC remained one of the few international carriers in Russia

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, MSC, like other major international container lines, significantly limited its operations in the Russian market.

Nevertheless, the company maintained transportation of certain categories of cargo. Through international container lines, Russia continued to receive, in particular, food products, clothing and medicines.

Novorossiysk remains one of the most important Russian ports on the Black Sea. Not only container cargo passes through it, but also significant volumes of oil, oil products, grain and other export commodities.

MSC's decision significantly reduces Russia's remaining options for direct international container shipping via the Black Sea and may force shippers to make more active use of St. Petersburg, Far Eastern ports and overland routes.

Attacks have already disrupted Russian shipping in the Black Sea

The security situation for commercial shipping near Russian ports deteriorated sharply in July and August. In recent weeks, drones have repeatedly attacked ships in the area of Novorossiysk and other Black Sea and Azov Sea ports.

In early August, Russian Fesco and Turkish regional operator Kalyon also suspended Black Sea voyages after a series of attacks on commercial vessels. This has already led to a reduction in container capacity on Russian Black Sea routes.

In August, strikes also affected ships transporting grain via Novorossiysk and Tuapse. Bloomberg reported at least five ships attacked over several days. Some terminals temporarily ceased operations after these incidents.

The increased frequency of attacks affects not only container shipping. They have already disrupted Russian exports of oil, grain, steel and coal via the Black Sea, and shipping companies and insurers are reconsidering the risks of operating in the region.

At the same time, MSC did not indicate in its message who was responsible for the attack on MSC ULSAN III. There was no independent confirmation of the circumstances of the strike at the time of publication.

Based on materials from: Bloomberg, Lloyd's List