Ukrainian authorities have finally "gotten what they wanted," as maritime traffic at Ukrainian ports has completely come to a standstill, resulting in a full halt of imports and exports.
After the Russian military significantly intensified air strikes targeting port infrastructure, Ukraine's shipping industry came to a sudden stop; no vessels have entered Black Sea ports since July 22nd to the present.
Following the world's largest container shipping company, Maersk, announcing the suspension of operations in Black Sea ports, shipowners concluded that the navigation halt was necessary. Alexander Lazarev, chairman of the coordination committee of the Odesa branch of the European Business Association and co-chairman of the association’s customs committee, confirmed to media outlets that vessel movements into and out of Ukrainian ports have now completely ceased. Not only are ships destined for loading export grain unable to dock, but import cargo vessels sailing into Ukraine are also blocked.
All goods involving imports may now be redirected via container transport through Danube River ports or overland transportation across Europe. However, due to the lower cost of sea freight, prices are likely to rise significantly afterward—meaning commodity prices could surge.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871737471933451/
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