As of September 30, around 150 ships are delayed at Russian ports in the Baltic Sea, with congestion worsening throughout September.
The number of ships waiting to go to Russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland reached approximately 150 as of September 30.
According to a Helsingin Sanomat review reported by The Maritime Executive on October 1, 2026, there are 65 tankers and 85 cargo ships waiting in the region. It has been reported that the congestion increased throughout September.
The wait is concentrated around Ust-Luga.
The majority of the ships are waiting to reach the oil and bulk cargo terminals in the Ust-Luga area. Ships heading to the Primorsk and St. Petersburg ports are also among those waiting.
The review identified 16 tankers and 30 cargo ships around the Ust-Luga and Laukaansuu port area. It was noted that there is a separate line of ships extending from the Gulf of Finland to the Baltic Sea, consisting of 46 vessels.
Shift from the Black Sea to Baltic ports.
The report stated that attacks on Ukraine's port and terminal infrastructure in the Black Sea could be influential in shifting cargo to Russia's northern ports. This shift was cited as one of the possible reasons for the congestion.
Finnish authorities are monitoring the situation.
Finnish Gulf Coast Guard officials confirmed that the number of ships waiting to enter Russian ports is above normal. Authorities reported that the congestion can sometimes decrease rapidly and that the situation is being closely monitored.
According to the data reported, the waiting time in Laukaansuu was recorded as 4.61 days the previous week.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
