The Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port in Russia closed for two days last week due to strong winds and freezing temperatures. Vessels arriving over the weekend had a one or two day wait to berth.
While relevant port authorities are working hard to keep shipping lanes open, vessels heading to Eastern Black Sea ports in Russia and the Ukraine can experience berthing delays.
Harbourmasters in Odessa, Ukraine, are demanding a letter of guarantee from owners and operators of non ice-classed ships, which confirms that they will honour higher port charges arising out of ice-breaking and increased tug deployment.
“Black Sea shipping is feeling the effects of the European chill, with shipments of oil and other commodities being delayed. We are aware of several ships awaiting permission to enter Novorossiysk and of delays caused by slow progress through ice fields across the region,” said Kadir Kaya, Managing Director, ISS Turkey.