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This discussion paper estimates the effect of Ukraine’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ humanitarian initiative on food security in African and MENA countries targeted by the programme. Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of agricultural produce, accounting for almost half of the world’s sunflower oil exports, 13% of corn exports, and 8% of wheat exports in the 2020/21 marketing year. While Russia’s war against Ukraine negatively […]

Introduction Maritime trade constitutes a major part of the global economy as one of the important trade routes. Considering all commercial transport activities, the fact that approximately 85% of them are carried out by maritime routes emphasizes the importance of maritime trade. Thus, maritime trade routes have a strategic value. In particular, the Black Sea, where the ports of Russia and Ukraine are located, has […]

Taman, Russia (Ports Europe) December 16, 2024 – The disaster of December 15 with the two very old Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait that connects the Azov and the Black Seas is not the worst in the Strait between Moscow-occupied Ukrainian Crimea and Russia’s mainland. With the onset of the storm season, which starts in November, the Kerch Strait turns into a real trap […]

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS There are a great many Trade Associations and I will refer to just two that have their headquarters in London: GAFTA Having replaced the Federation GAFTA now looks after and protects the interests of the grain and animal feeding stuffs industries in national and international affairs. Business done on GAFTA contracts amounts to over 80% of world trade in cereals. The use of […]

The global supply chain has grown increasingly complex, particularly within the shipping sector, where goods and services traverse numerous countries, customs jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks. Disruptions such as pandemics, geopolitical tensions, labor shortages and climate-related events have amplified vulnerabilities across industries. These disruptions, in turn, have the potential to impact the financing of shipping operations, influencing costs, cash flow and risk management for shipping companies […]

The Ministry of Trade (“Ministry”) published the Regulation on Market Surveillance and Inspection of Products Offered through Remote Communication Tools (“Regulation“) in the Official Gazette dated 30 October 2024. This Regulation outlines the procedures and principles applicable to placing products on the market and sales advertisements for products offered or made available on the market via remote communication tools such as telephone, email, television, and the internet. […]

Ochamchira, Georgia (Ports Europe) November 8, 2024 – The construction of the Black Sea Port Intermodal Container Terminal in Ochamchira is planned to be completed by November 15, the Minister of Economy of Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia, Oktay Khazirishi said. As usual for Russian-occupied Abkhazia, Moscow is footing the construction bill. “We have already signed contracts with container shipping companies,” Khazirishi said. “Our partners […]

The shipping industry, responsible for transporting around 90% of the world’s goods, operates under a complex network of regulations designed to ensure safety, environmental protection, and fair labor practices. Two of the most prominent global organizations that govern the maritime sector are the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Together, they set and enforce key regulations to ensure vessels are operating safely, humanely, and sustainably […]

Risks of war and civil unrest impacting the shipping industry are nothing new, but today’s unstable political environment has recently brought these risks to the fore. In this publication, we discuss possible ways in which contractual parties can protect themselves against such risks in a maritime context. Download Conflict – The impact on charterparties and issues for consideration

The current situation in Ukraine is fast moving. Dangerous sea areas and changes in the operational status of ports may occur at any time. Updates received from correspondents are published below. You are strongly advised to contact local agents for the latest advice should you have a vessel trading to Ukraine. Our team will report on new sanctions as they are rolled out. Please contact […]