Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea: Ukraine knew an alternative route for cargo ships
This was announced by the Minister of Infrastructure Alexander Kubrakov and co-owner and CEO of the port of TIS Andriy Stavnitser.
The Minister said that the ports in the Black Sea are not blocked, Ukraine was able to confirm the available depths of 15-22 meters on a new route bypassing the zone of Russian military schools.
simply, on the evening of February 14, the MV Melia bulk carrier with a draft of 12.85 meters passed through the new corridor. This is the first Panamax class ship to take a new route.
What preceded?
On February 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine protested that Russia would block part of the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait. In the Ministry of Defense of Russia explain this is a military exercise in the Black Sea from 13 to 19 February.
This has jeopardized international routes to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that “Unprecedented in coverage of the area of maneuvers” to prevent navigation in both seas.
The Ministry stressed that Russia unreasonably worsens international shipping (including trade), which could lead to economic and social consequences for Ukrainian ports.
BlackSeaNews later reported that Russia had decided to block the Azov Sea north of the Kerch Strait. However, the blockade of a large part of the Black Sea remained in force.