Russia has resumed limited oil loadings at its critical Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, days after a Ukrainian drone attack forced a complete suspension. The Sheskharis terminal, partially operational since late Thursday, is currently handling just one berth with a single cargo of approximately 80,000 tons expected to depart—far below its typical capacity of 700,000 barrels per day.
The attack on Monday triggered fires at a fuel terminal and damaged key loading infrastructure, halting all shipments initially. Fuel oil loadings have since restarted, and at least one diesel cargo has been shipped, though the port’s full operational schedule remains slashed with no clear timeline for recovery.
Novorossiysk serves as a vital export hub for both Russian and Kazakh crude, managing shipments linked to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system, which transports oil from major Kazakhstan fields like Tengiz and Kashagan.
Damage from the strike affected storage tanks and equipment tied to CPC operations, reducing flexibility for Kazakhstan’s export flows despite assurances of stability from the country. The partial restart offers some relief, but capacity constraints persist, tightening Russia’s export options at a time when its infrastructure faces repeated threats.
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Ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian energy assets beyond Novorossiysk, with Baltic ports like Primorsk and Ust-Luga, as well as inland refineries, also hit in recent weeks. Each incident chips away at operational capacity, forcing cargoes to move at reduced rates and with limited loading alternatives. The pattern of attacks underscores the vulnerability of Russia’s export network amid the ongoing war.
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