Archive

Article by the head of the Institute of National Security, associate expert of the XXI Strategy Center, Bohdan Ustimenko. The editorial board of the Black Sea Security Journal announces its 42nd issue, which will be published in September. It will contain a lot of important expert materials. The focus will be on the forecast of the development of the war at sea, an overview of […]

The resumption of activity at the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia would significantly boost Ukraine’s export potential. The port operators themselves are ready, but the military is currently against it due to military threats. Is it still possible to reopen these ports, and when? Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Mykolaiv ports have remained blocked. The enemy is close to the Bugsko- Dnipro-Limanskyi Canal […]

This week’s chart illustrates the increase in the monthly volume of Ukrainian grain shipments during the first half of this year (left chart), following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in the summer of 2023. Despite the heightened security risks and logistical challenges, Ukraine has managed to significantly boost its grain exports through alternative routes and increased efficiency. The data reveal that Spain […]

The EU supports regional development in South-East Europe with its Black Sea Synergy initiative. By encouraging cooperation between the countries surrounding the Black Sea, the synergy offers a flexible forum for developing practical region-wide solutions to address regional and global challenges. A BOTTOM-UP APPROACH TO PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Launched in 2007, the Black Sea Synergy encourages a bottom-up approach to project development, identifying and supporting the […]

On 26th June 2024, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted the UNCITRAL/UNIDROIT Model Law on Warehouse Receipts (MLWR) and its Guide to Enactment.. This milestone was the result of a collaborative effort between UNCITRAL and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and is seen as a significant step towards modernizing and harmonizing the legal framework for warehouse receipts.. […]

As part of the analytical report The situation in the Black Sea during the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022-2024, published in June 2024, the Monitoring Group of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews presents an updated database (as of 8 June 2024) of Russian warships, boats, and vessels destroyed or damaged by the Ukrainian Armed Forces since February 2022.  As of 8 June […]

Sunflower seed/Sunflower Oil/Meal market. Season of 2023/24 (Sept-Aug) SFS exports are lower in 2023/24 than last season due to bans imposed by EU countries; SFS stocks decreased in June due to high crushing and stable export demand; The lower SFO and meal exports in Sept-Dec 2023 are offset by high shipments in Jan-May 2024, exports are higher year-on-year by 21% and 22%, respectively; SFO exports […]

The world of ocean shipping, freight, maritime, logistics, supply chain, and trade is a complex world with stakeholders having to navigate a quagmire of processes, documents, regulations, and standards.. Many users in these industries often struggle to get the correct, useful, and latest information like regulations, and guidelines and know which key industry bodies they must look to for reference and guidance.. As this site is THE DEFINITIVE […]

In April 2024, Ukraine exported an unprecedented 6.6 million tons of grain and oilseed, the highest volume since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to a report by UK intelligence on May 22.  This demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to export unilaterally via its shipping corridor in the Black Sea, the analysts said. The throughput capacity of the Black Sea ports reached a monthly export volume higher […]

The Black Sea container market has undergone significant disruption, with Ukraine at the forefront of these changes. Prior to the Russian invasion, Ukraine boasted the highest container volumes among Black Sea countries, with an estimated turnover of over 1 million TEU per year according to local analytical company Informall BG. However, the Russian invasion and subsequent port blockades in 2022-2023 forced Ukraine to halt container […]