Increased attacks on Black Sea vessels prompt reevaluation of trade routes, raising shipping distances and costs for bulk carriers.
The increase in attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea has led to a reassessment of trade routes in international dry bulk shipping. Shipowners and cargo owners are seeking alternative loading ports and transport routes to reduce security risks in the region, although it is noted that this change could increase the distances traveled by ships and freight costs.
The security issues in the Black Sea, which holds a significant position in the transportation of grain and other bulk cargoes, have begun to affect not only regional trade but also the global dry bulk market.
According to market assessments published on October 16, the search for alternative routes is increasing the total transport distances for dry bulk carriers, while meeting the cargo volumes sourced from the Black Sea from other regions does not seem easy.
Alternative routes mean longer voyages.
Due to the attacks in the Black Sea, some cargo owners are considering options for shipping from different ports.
However, changing loading ports can result in ships having to travel longer distances to reach their destinations.
This situation, expressed in ton-miles in maritime transport, allows for the joint evaluation of the amount of cargo transported and the distance traveled.
Transporting the same amount of cargo over a longer route can extend the voyage duration while also affecting the available ship capacity in the market.
Therefore, sourcing cargoes from alternative regions, even if the total cargo volume does not increase, can raise the ton-mile demand for dry bulk carriers.
Limited capacity of alternative ports in grain trade.
Russia and Ukraine are among the significant suppliers in international grain trade. However, the disruption of port activities in the Black Sea due to security issues complicates the diversion of exports from the region to other routes.
According to commodity market assessments dated October 16, despite high agricultural production volumes in both countries, the closure of ports, disruptions in loading activities, and congestion in alternative transport corridors limit export capacity.
Shipments conducted by Ukraine via the Danube River, while providing an alternative to Black Sea ports, do not have the capacity to meet the entire export volume.
The involvement of rail and road transport also incurs additional costs, especially for transporting large quantities of bulk cargo to distant markets.
Freight and insurance costs under pressure.
The security risks in the Black Sea have led ship operators to pay more attention to factors such as war risk insurance, crew safety, and the continuity of port operations in their voyage planning.
The additional insurance premiums demanded for vessels operating in risky areas can increase transportation costs.
The use of alternative routes can also raise fuel consumption, voyage duration, and the operational costs of ships.
The impact of these developments on the freight market varies according to the type of vessel used, the nature of the cargo, the voyage route, and the current supply of vessels in the market.
Fuel supply activities in Turkey are also affected.
The effects of security issues in the Black Sea have also reflected on ship fuel supply activities in Turkey.
According to data from Spotbarge, which analyzes ship movements, the number of ship fuel supply operations in Istanbul and across Turkey decreased by approximately 20% in September 2026 compared to the same period the previous year.
During the same period, there was a 57% decrease in fuel supply operations for dry bulk carriers and a 28% decrease for oil and product tankers.
These figures indicate that the security developments in the Black Sea have impacted not only cargo transportation but also other maritime activities that service ships.
INTERCARGO calls for the protection of commercial vessels.
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, INTERCARGO, expressed its concerns about attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and the Strait of Hormuz in a statement made on October 1.
The organization emphasized the need to protect seafarers and commercial vessels and called for diplomatic efforts to restore safe maritime transport.
INTERCARGO highlighted that dry bulk carriers transporting grain and other essential products play a crucial role in global supply chains.
According to the organization, the inability of commercial vessels and ports to operate safely can lead to increased transportation costs and negatively affect food security.
Search for new routes in the dry bulk market.
If attacks in the Black Sea continue, it is expected that shipowners, charterers, and cargo owners will continue their search for alternative routes.
However, the development of new transport corridors is not solely dependent on redirecting ships to different ports. The loading capacity of ports, inland transport connections, storage facilities, and the amount of cargo that can be dispatched also play a decisive role.
Therefore, the security environment in the Black Sea will continue to be closely monitored in terms of the employment of dry bulk carriers, voyage distances, and the direction of the freight market in the upcoming period.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
