Loss Prevention Advice

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the international shipping community with regular updates based on the latest verified developments, operational experience and local market knowledge.

In this edition, we focus on the security situation affecting Ukrainian ports and merchant shipping, recent developments in port infrastructure and export operations, measures aimed at strengthening maritime security, and the continuing resilience of Ukraine’s sea trade under sustained pressure.

• Selected Security Incidents Affecting Ukrainian Ports and Merchant Shipping, March–June 2026
• Port Infrastructure and Operational Capacity
• Strengthening Naval and Maritime Security
• Container Market and Foreign Investment
• Resumption of Urea Exports by Sea
• Outlook: Port Resilience Under Growing Pressure

Russian Attacks Continue to Pressure Ukraine's Export Logistics, While Supply Chains Adapt.

Russia has significantly intensified attacks on Ukraine's port, railway and logistics infrastructure over the past year, aiming to disrupt export operations and weaken the country's economy.

The maritime sector continues to operate; however, the main challenge is no longer cargo availability but rather vessel availability. Following repeated strikes on the ports of Odesa and the Danube region, a number of shipowners have become increasingly reluctant to deploy tonnage to Ukrainian ports due to elevated risks for vessels, crews and potential delays caused by damaged infrastructure. As a result, freight availability remains constrained, particularly within the coaster segment, while freight rates continue to receive support from limited vessel supply. War risk insurance premiums have also increased dramatically, reportedly rising from approximately 0.2–0.3% before the targeted attacks on merchant shipping to around 3.5% today.

Rail transport has also become a primary target. Rather than attempting to destroy railway tracks, Russian forces increasingly focus on locomotives, traction substations and key railway junctions, where repairs require considerably more time. Repeated attacks continue to generate delays, increase transport costs and reduce overall supply chain efficiency.

Overall, Russia's attacks have made Ukrainian logistics substantially more expensive, complex and risk-sensitive, but they have not succeeded in paralyzing export operations. The market has largely adapted to operating under wartime conditions through flexible routing, diversified logistics solutions and continuous risk management. While disruptions remain frequent and insurance, freight and inland transportation costs continue to exceed pre-war levels, Ukraine's export logistics system continues to function.

Selected Security Incidents Affecting Ukrainian Ports and Merchant Shipping (March–June 2026)

 

The table below provides a brief overview of selected major attacks affecting Ukrainian ports and merchant shipping between March and June 2026, illustrating the continuing security risks faced by Ukraine’s maritime export corridor.

 

Date	Location / Target	Vessels Affected	Port / Logistics Infrastructure	Casualties
12 Mar	Odesa Port Area	—	Food warehouse damaged by UAV strike; fire extinguished	None
17 Mar	Port / Railway Infrastructure	Barge damaged	Port utility buildings damaged; railway wagon hit in Sumy region	None
20 Mar	Odesa Port	Two merchant vessels (Palau & Barbados flags) loaded with grain damaged alongside	Grain terminal facilities, port equipment and administrative buildings damaged	Injuries reported
23 Mar	Odesa Region Port	—	Port infrastructure damaged	None
26 Mar	Danube Port	—	Warehouses, berths, administrative buildings and port operators’ facilities damaged	One injured
2 Apr	Odesa Port	—	Warehouses, hangars, containers and administrative facilities damaged	None

 

 

 

8 Apr	Odesa Region / Izmail	Civilian vessel attacked in Izmail Port	Port warehouses partially destroyed; fires at port facilities	None reported
14 Apr	Ukrainian Maritime Corridor	Merchant vessel en route to Odesa struck by UAV; vessel remained operational	—	None
26–27 Apr	Chornomorsk / Odesa	MV Ramco (Nauru flag) slightly damaged	Sunflower oil storage tank destroyed (6,000 t); cargo terminal power facility damaged	None
1–3 May	Odesa & Danube Ports	—	Berths, warehouses, production facilities and administrative buildings damaged; Kernel terminal heavily damaged and temporarily suspended operations	One truck driver killed; several injured
5 May	Odesa Port	Merchant vessel (Cook Islands flag) damaged	—	None
15 May	Odesa Port	—	Cargo warehouse and vehicles damaged	Seven port workers injured

 

 

 

18 May	Ukrainian Maritime Corridor / Odesa	Five merchant vessels attacked (Panama, Guinea-Bissau, Marshall Islands flags), including MV KSL DEYANG	—	None
19 May	Izmail District	—	Port infrastructure damaged	None
29 May	Black Sea Maritime Corridor	Three merchant vessels attacked, including MV ANT (Vanuatu flag)	—	Two crew members injured
5 Jun	Chornomorsk Port	—	Kernel grain terminal damaged; grain storage and handling infrastructure affected	None
10 Jun	Ukrainian Maritime Corridor	Two merchant vessels (Panama & Barbados flags) damaged	—	None
19 Jun	Black Sea / Maritime Corridor	Merchant vessels under Panama and St. Kitts & Nevis flags attacked	—	One seafarer killed; five crew members injured
22 Jun	Ukrainian Maritime Corridor	Merchant vessel (Panama flag) severely damaged; vessels under Palau & Belize flags also affected	—	One crew member killed; eight evacuated

Key observations for March – June 2026

Port Infrastructure and Operational Capacity

Operational dredging has commenced at the port of Izmail in order to restore the designed depths alongside berths and ensure safe vessel calls. The works are being carried out by the Delta-Pilot branch of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, using its own dredging fleet and a floating crane employed on time-charter terms.

The State Enterprise “Chornomorsk Sea Commercial Port” handled around 3.8 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, while its annual container throughput increased almost fourfold, reaching 21,500 TEU. In addition to cargo operations, the port is now involved in a project aimed at developing its own component of an air defence system. Reportedly, this system has already contributed to the destruction of Shahed-type drones and has also been used in demining-related operations.

Strengthening of Naval and Maritime Security

The Ukrainian Navy has received another Alkmaar-class minehunter from the Netherlands. The vessel has been named Henichesk. This is already the fifth mine countermeasure vessel in the Ukrainian fleet. Such ships are designed to detect, identify and neutralise mines both in coastal waters and in open sea areas.

Container Market and Foreign Investment

MSC has acquired a 51% stake in the TIS container terminal at Pivdennyi port. The stake had recently been sold by DP World. The transaction may indicate renewed strategic interest from major international container operators in Ukraine’s port infrastructure, despite the continued wartime risk environment.

Resumption of Urea Exports by Sea

Ukraine has resumed seaborne exports of urea. For the first time in seven years, a shipment produced by Ostchem Group was exported via the port of Chornomorsk to international buyers in the Mediterranean region. The total shipment volume amounted to approximately 21,000 t.

The main export destinations were Italy and Turkey. Buyers of Ukrainian urea include major international companies, in particular the U.S.-based Nitron Group and Korea’s Samsung C&T Corporation.

Outlook: Port Resilience Under Growing Pressure

Despite the continued operation of Ukraine’s maritime export corridor, the pressure on port infrastructure has intensified significantly. In recent months, Russian attacks have increasingly targeted port facilities in the Odesa region, including grain terminals and infrastructure used for the storage and export of sunflower oil. These commodities remain central to Ukraine’s agricultural export structure and to the country’s role in global food supply chains.

According to the Ukrainian Agrarian Council, the situation in the ports of Odesa region has reached a critical point. Businesses operating port terminals are reportedly facing mounting financial pressure, as repeated repairs under continuing shelling have exhausted internal reserves.

At the same time, the scale of maritime activity remains substantial. As of June 2026, Ukrainian seaports had handled around 40 million tonnes of cargo since the beginning of the year. More than half of this volume — over 20 million tonnes — consisted of agricultural products, supporting food supplies to dozens of countries worldwide.

This performance has been achieved under persistent attack. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 1,500 strike drones have been launched against Ukrainian ports. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 966 port infrastructure facilities and more than 200 civilian vessels have been damaged or destroyed, while 257 civilians have been killed or injured as a result of attacks on port areas.

According to World Bank estimates, Ukraine’s total transport-sector recovery needs stood at USD 96.3 billion as of the end of 2025, with around 60% of transport-related losses linked to disrupted access to ports.

For insurers, shipowners and brokers, the key takeaway is that Ukraine’s ports remain operational and commercially relevant, but the risk environment continues to evolve. Continued monitoring of port resilience, repair capacity and security measures will remain essential for any party involved in trade to or from Ukrainian ports.