These are the first confirmed cases in which grain carriers operating with Russian ports were specifically targeted. Russia is trying to continue exporting grain, but an increasing number of shipowners are wary of the risks involved in calling at Russian ports, sources told Bloomberg.
Four ships were attacked on Tuesday morning, according to sources who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the information. Another ship was attacked on Monday. The Russian bulk carrier Victoria V, capable of carrying up to 7,000 metric tons of grain, was attacked in the port of Novorossiysk, where it was scheduled to load wheat. The Fehu, flying the Marshall Islands flag, was struck after leaving Novorossiysk with a cargo of wheat. According to the sources, the vessel was able to continue its voyage.
The Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Elina B was attacked after loading about 56,000 metric tons of wheat in Novorossiysk. The ship is currently heading for the Bosphorus. The bulk carrier Necibe, flying the San Marino flag, was attacked by drones in the port of Tuapse, where it was scheduled to unload about 20,000 metric tons of wheat. The fifth vessel to be attacked was the Anna S, flying the Liberian flag. It was en route to Novorossiysk to load barley when a drone strike caused a fire on board. According to sources, the vessel was unable to continue its voyage.
Since July 10, drone attacks have completely halted grain shipments from Russian ports on the Sea of Azov, which account for about a quarter of the country’s grain exports. Last week, three terminals at the deep-water port of Novorossiysk announced the suspension of operations following one of the largest attacks since the start of the full-scale war.
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