Russia – Ukraine Crisis: Impact on Global Shipping

President Biden bans Russian vessels from US ports

The president of the United States, Joe Biden has decided to ban all Russian-affiliated vessels from calling at the US ports, joining the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, which have announced similar measures earlier.

Biden explained, “That means no ship, no ship that sails under the Russian flag or that is owned or operated by a Russian entity, will be allowed to dock in a United States port or access our shores.”

The White House said in a statement, “The proclamation prohibits...

https://container-news.com/president-biden-bans-russian-vessels-from-us-ports/

MABUX expects no drastic changes in global bunker market as war in Ukraine continues

Sharp multidirectional changes in bunker prices will continue, according to Sergey Ivanov, director at Marine Bunker Exchange (MABUX), who does not expect any drastic changes in the global bunker market’s trends until the conflict in Ukraine is resolved.

Meanwhile, high volatility remains in the global bunker market, accompanied by sharp irregular changes in bunker indices, according to MABUX’s latest report.

Over Week 16, MABUX Bunker Index switched again to a firm upward evolution with the 380...

https://container-news.com/mabux-expects-no-drastic-changes-in-global-bunker-market-as-war-in-ukraine-continues/

India resumes shipments to Russia

India has reportedly started shipment of goods to Russia again after two Russian banks have started facilitating payments in both Rupee-Ruble and Euro.

Last week, dozens of containers full of rice, tea, coffee and seafood among others were shipped to Russia through ports in Georgia.

This is the first time goods from India are exported to Russia as stores in Moscow went empty after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

India is also importing low cost Russian fuel oil as offered by Moscow...

https://container-news.com/india-resumes-shipments-to-russia/

ILO, IMO call for urgent action on stranded seafarers in Ukraine

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) call for urgent action to protect seafarers and vessels stranded in Ukrainian ports and nearby waters, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

ILO director-general, Guy Ryder and IMO secretary-general, Kitack Lim, wrote a joint letter to the heads of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to outline the...

https://container-news.com/ilo-imo-call-for-urgent-action-on-stranded-seafarers-in-ukraine/

European Union’s ports ban Russian vessels

The European Commission (EC) has announced a ban on Russian vessels and Russian-operated ships from accessing European Union (EU) ports.

EC said there will be “certain exemptions” that will cover essentials, such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid as well as energy.

EC added it will propose a ban on Russian and Belarusian road transport operators. “This ban will drastically limit the options for the Russian industry to obtain key goods,” said European Commission.

The ban on...

https://container-news.com/european-unions-ports-ban-russian-vessels/

Cargo ship sinks in Mariupol after Russian shelling

Ukrainian authorities have said that a general cargo ship is sinking in the port of Mariupol, Ukraine, after Russian forces shelled it earlier today (5 April).

According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (DPSU), the ship, identified from a photograph as Azburg, was struck in an attack by the sea.

A fire broke out in the ship’s engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured seafarer. The number of seafarers and their nationalities have not been disclosed.

The 1995-built 10,028...

https://container-news.com/cargo-ship-sinks-in-mariupol-after-russian-shelling/

Kuehne+Nagel to provide transport and storage aid in Ukraine

The German transport and logistics group Kuehne+Nagel Group will offer emergency aid in Ukraine, in the form of free logistics services to aid organisations for the transport and temporary storage of relief goods to Ukraine, as well as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, until summer 2022.

This action, which is estimated to amount to US$10.7 million, is being coordinated by the group’s existing ‘Emergency and Relief Expert Centre’ in Copenhagen.

For this purpose, Kuehne+Nagel has announced...

https://container-news.com/kuehnenagel-to-provide-transport-and-storage-aid-in-ukraine/

Geodis to offer humanitarian aid in Ukraine

The transport and logistics provider Geodis will offer humanitarian help to the people of Ukraine through the mobilisation of the group’s logistics capabilities for the transportation of essential goods, as well as a fundraising initiative in collaboration with the French Red Cross.

The French group explained that it will provide free transport and storage of goods from France and other European Union countries to the regions that have taken in Ukrainian refugees.

To deliver these services, local...

https://container-news.com/geodis-to-offer-humanitarian-aid-in-ukraine/

Bunker prices show signs of decrease

The progress in Russia-Ukrainian talks eased concerns of a possible shortage on the bunker market and pushed the prices down during the 11th week of the year.

Particularly, the 380 high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) index fell to US$685.86/MT, the very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) index declined to US$895.98/MT, and the marine gas oil (MGO) index showed the most significant decrease to US$1,111.93/MT, while bunker indices continue demonstrating high volatility.

The Global Scrubber Spread (SS) weekly...

https://container-news.com/bunker-prices-show-signs-of-decrease/

Equipment shortage flares up in Bangladesh amid Chinese lockdown and Russian war

As an impact of the Chinese New Year linked import slowdown from China, followed by the latest Covid connected lockdown in various Chinese provinces, and the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Bangladesh’s shipping circle is facing severe equipment shortage.

Ship liners fear a further spike of box shortages in the coming weeks as the situation further worsens in China, whereas on Tuesday the pandemic spread to 21 provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Zhejiang, Jilin,...

https://container-news.com/equipment-shortage-flares-up-in-bangladesh-amid-chinese-lockdown-and-russian-war/

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