[Epoch Times, February 24, 2022]The Ukrainian military has suspended commercial shipping at its ports after the Russian invasion, an adviser to the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff said. There are heightened concerns about disruptions to the supply of goods from this major exporter of grains and oilseeds.
Russia earlier suspended commercial shipping in the Azov Sea until further notice, but kept the Black Sea (Black Sea) Russian ports open to shipping.
Ukraine is a major exporter of corn, most of which goes to mainland China and the European Union. It also competes with Russia to supply wheat to major buyers such as Egypt and Turkey.
On Thursday, the Russian army invaded Ukraine aggressively, and the international trade market was also shaken.
World shipping giant Maersk said on Thursday it had suspended all port calls in Ukraine until the end of February and closed its main office in Odessa on the Black Sea coast because of the conflict.
Russia is the world‘s largest exporter of wheat, and its grain is mainly shipped from ports in the Black Sea.
The ports in the Sea of Azov are shallower and have less capacity.
Mariupol is one of Ukraine’s largest ports in the Sea of Azov, handling relatively small ships with a deadweight between 3,000 and 10,000 tons.
The Azov port exports wheat, barley and corn to Mediterranean importers including Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Turkey.
A European trader, who requested anonymity, said the countries would have to look for alternative supplies if ships could not set sail in the near future.
Russia and Ukraine account for 29% of global wheat exports, 19% of world corn exports and 80% of world sunflower oil exports.
Responsible editor: Lin Yan#