MSC suspends new container bookings to Novorossiysk following drone attack

MSC Mediterranean Shipping, the world's largest container shipping company, has suspended the acceptance of new bookings to the Port of Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast. It was stated that the decision was made after the vessel named MSC ULSAN III was targeted by a drone attack while en route to Novorossiysk.

According to Bloomberg, the company cited the attack in a notification sent to its customers. An employee at MSC's St. Petersburg office also confirmed that operations in Novorossiysk have been halted.

The company advised its customers to contact their Russian agent to seek alternative routes until conditions allow for the resumption of regular services. It was noted that MSC continues its operations from other ports in Russia.

MSC and other international shipping companies have limited their activities in Russia since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. Due to existing sanctions, these companies currently only transport food products and medicine to Russia.

Logistics sector sources state that the increase in drone attacks in the Black Sea since mid-summer has led to delays, particularly in import shipments from China via Novorossiysk. One importer commented, "Everything is very complicated on the China-Novorossiysk route right now; there are massive delays."

Warnings regarding security risks in the region have become even more pronounced in recent weeks. Following an attack by Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels on the night of August 1, the container ship "Yanina," owned by the Fesco company, sank in the Black Sea approximately 200 kilometers from Novorossiysk.

According to industry representatives, Novorossiysk is one of the critical ports for imported container cargo arriving in Russia. An executive at a major logistics company estimates that up to 30 percent of imported container cargo passes through this port.