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Russia’s largest Black Sea port is still facing disruptions, with two key oil-loading berths remaining out of service after recent Ukrainian drone strikes, according to Bloomberg.
Key export infrastructure still offline
Berths No. 1 and 1a at the Sheskharis terminal, operated by Transneft PJSC in Novorossiysk, remain inactive. These facilities normally handle Suezmax and Aframax-class tankers, but are currently empty, according to EU Copernicus satellite data and shipping intelligence sources.
At present, oil loading is only taking place at berth No. 2, which can accommodate only smaller Aframax vessels.
Impact on export capacity
Novorossiysk is Russia’s largest oil export port on the Black Sea. In Q1 of this year, it exported an average of nearly 540,000 barrels per day, according to Bloomberg data.
Because of its strategic importance, the port has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes, which Kyiv says aim to reduce Russia’s oil revenues.
The latest attack last week temporarily halted operations for several days. Ukraine claimed damage to infrastructure at at least five berths and to pipeline systems connected to storage facilities.
Operations resumed later in the week when an Aframax tanker docked at berth No. 2, according to vessel tracking data.
Remaining operational limits
Berth No. 2 can handle ships up to 105,500 tons, limiting operations to Aframax-class tankers. In contrast, berths 1 and 1a can handle much larger vessels—up to 242,000 and 170,000 tons respectively—allowing both Aframax and Suezmax tankers.
Loading operations at berths 6 and 7, used for refined products, are reportedly still ongoing.
Broader context
According to Reuters, Russia’s oil revenues could potentially double in April to around $9 billion due to rising global oil prices linked to the Iran conflict. However, this depends heavily on how long the war continues and the intensity of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
