Shipping companies asked the authorities to recognize the stoppage of shipping in Azov as force majeure. This is stated in appeals to the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and the RSPP (Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs), the magazine writes Field.RF.
Restrictions on navigation in the Sea of Azov have been in effect since July 10, 2026 - they were introduced after attacks on the civilian fleet. Damaged ships now occupy up to 85% of the berthing front of the ports, blocking the operation of the infrastructure, the appeals note. Almost half of the emergency fleet remains at sea with cargo on board - this is about 300 thousand tons of export products.
Market participants estimate direct costs for downtime, maintenance and upcoming repairs of vessels at 6.7 billion rubles. Restoring the fleet will cost $50–75 million. At the same time, Rosmorport continues to charge port dues and rent, although it is now impossible to conduct commercial activities in the ports.
Shipowners warn of a threat to the agro-industrial complex (AIC). The small ports of Azov, Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog and Yeisk provide the export of legumes, meal, cake and molasses. Redirecting these cargoes to the ports of the North-West is not economically profitable. The blockade is also disrupting established supplies to Turkey and Mediterranean countries.
According to media reports, similar problems with blocking exports are being recorded in the Black Sea ports - Novorossiysk, Tuapse and others.
“This is not just about cargo delays. The lack of revenue from the sale of the crop threatens the servicing of loans taken for sowing and the financing of the new agricultural cycle,” says Alexey Velichko, coordinator of the appeals, deputy of the Azov City Duma of the Rostov Region.
The business asks to recognize the situation as force majeure under Article 401 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Civil Code of the Russian Federation) or the impossibility of fulfilling obligations under Article 417 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. This will make it possible to cancel fines for breaking contracts and write off charges for forced downtime.
It is also proposed to introduce a moratorium on fees for mooring ships and renting infrastructure - for the duration of the restrictions and for another three months after they are lifted. In addition, the authors of the appeals ask for the creation of an interdepartmental headquarters to coordinate the restoration of ports.
The appeals were signed by five companies and entrepreneurs: shipping operators Azovportoflot, Azovflotservice and Azovtorgflot, individual entrepreneur Evgeniy Kokotkin and exporter of grain and processed products KBK Export.
The authors of the appeals emphasize that they are not asking for budget subsidies, but insist on developing an anti-crisis plan at the RSPP site before navigation begins. Without this, they estimate that exports will take months to recover even after restrictions are lifted.
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Source: https://www.zerno.ru/node/34228