- Seaborne trade with Russia had dropped by 58% since the invasion of Ukraine began.
- The accusations have been denied by Ukrainian authorities.
- Small grants are already available to seafarers and their families who have been impacted by the Ukraine crisis.
While most shipowners have elected to avoid Russia due to sanctions and the perilous situations that have arisen as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, certain owners are reaping huge profits from cruises out of the world’s largest country as reported by Splash 247.
Vessels arrive at Russian ports
Unconfirmed reports suggest an Aframax tanker has recently been fixed from the Baltic to the Mediterranean at about $220,000 a day.
Data from Israeli maritime artificial intelligence platform Windward indicates that most crude oil tankers calling port in Russia since February 28 had registered owners, or registered beneficial owners, that are Greece-affiliated.
According to shipping platform Sea/, there are a total of 213 vessels destined to arrive at Russian ports in the next two to three weeks made up of 84 bulkers, 127 tankers and two LNG vessels.
Coal exports as well continue to flow out of Russia with China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan all showing strong Russian import volumes.
In terms of crude exports, analysts at broker Poten & Partners note exports to Asia have picked up in the period since the invasion.
The export volumes loaded in Russia destined for Asia averaged 1.4m barrels per day in the 10 days prior to February 24.
Accusations denied
Despite these pockets of exports, Russia is struggling maritime trade-wise.
On Friday, Splash reported seaborne trade with Russia had dropped by 58% since the invasion of Ukraine began, according to data from financial data provider Refinitiv, a figure that could increase if the Polish prime minister gets his way.
The German government has also prioritised the swift construction of a pair of LNG terminals.
In other shipping news related to the invasion, Russia on Saturday claimed that mines that Ukrainians had deployed in the Black Sea could drift as far as the Straits of Bosphorus and the Mediterranean Sea.
The accusations have been denied by Ukrainian authorities.
Supporting seafarers
Finally, in today’s Ukraine invasion news roundup, the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) has launched a new appeal to the maritime industry to support seafarers and their families impacted by the crisis.
The SIRF is currently addressing basic human welfare – shelter, food, water, transport, access to medical services, along practical financial help.
Support for seafarers and their families will be funded by the SIRF and delivered by maritime charities, trade unions and other not for profit organisations working in various countries.
The SIRF was established in 2021 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
It is managed by The Seafarers’ Charity and supported by The Mission to Seafarers, ISWAN, Sailors’ Society, Stella Maris, and other charities.
Ships and crew under threat
Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, said: “Our number one priority is the safety of our seafarers and their families.
Ships and their crews in the area are under threat, while seafarers with families in Ukraine are rightly concerned.
Ongoing conflict, violence and uncertainty are causing people to flee their homes and become separated from their families.
I urge the maritime industry to give generously to this important cause and help our seafarers at this time of crisis.”
In addition to their existing and established delivery partners, The Seafarers’ Charity and their delivery partners are establishing new contacts to deliver support on the ground in Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Moldova, and operations are expanding as more is understood about the need.
Grants available
Small grants are now available through the Ukraine Crisis Support Fund, operated by ISWAN on behalf of the SIRF, to seafarers and their families who have been impacted by the Ukraine crisis and require immediate and urgent financial assistance. Maritime welfare charities, maritime unions, port welfare committees, ship-management businesses, and manning agents, among others, must apply to the Ukraine Crisis Support Fund on behalf of a seafarer or their family.
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Source: Splash 247
