From August 11 to 17, 2026, drone attacks on NKHP and NZT, the suspension of KSK operations, and Russian Railways restrictions until August 22 severely limited the performance of the key Black Sea grain hub. The USDA lowered its Russian wheat export forecast to 46 million tons, with some freight rerouted to the Baltic and Far East regions.
Strikes on Terminals and Suspension of KSK Operations
On August 12, PortNews reported damage to two grain terminals in the port of Novorossiysk following an overnight UAV attack. The facilities affected were NKHP (OZK Group) and NZT (Demeter-Holding). OZK stated that NKHP infrastructure was damaged, no personnel were injured, and restoration timelines would be specified later. Demeter-Holding confirmed damage to NZT without specifying repair timelines.
The next day, Delo Group announced via Interfax that operations at the KSK grain terminal had been suspended. The terminal ceased unloading road and rail transport, loading grain onto vessels, and other operations to ensure staff and infrastructure safety. Resumption of work would be announced separately. Within 48 hours, operations across the three major grain terminals in Novorossiysk were disrupted.
Russian Railways Restrictions and Rerouting of Shipping Lines
On August 13, Russian Railways introduced temporary restrictions on freight transport toward Novorossiysk and Novorossiysk-Export stations on the North Caucasus Railway. The restrictions apply from August 13 to 22. The company posted a notice on its website, with details relayed by PortNews and InfraNews. In July, 1.5 million tons of grain were loaded for export, 936,000 tons of which were shipped through southern ports.
Concurrently, several container lines are shifting port calls from Novorossiysk to Saint Petersburg and introducing war risk surcharges. InfraNews recorded a temporary shift of Akkon Lines services to St. Petersburg. RZD-Partner estimates surcharges for transit via Novorossiysk at around $1,000 per container, noting freight migration to St. Petersburg and the Far East. Russian Railways is limiting rail shipments to the port from August 13 to 22, while some container traffic is rerouting to the Baltic and facing increased costs.
Cargo Flow Shift to the East and Global Ports Open-Top Wagons
Restrictions on rail transport toward Novorossiysk are driving demand for alternative routes. According to RZD-Partner, cargo flows are partially shifting toward Saint Petersburg, the Far East, and overland rail routes; the market is experiencing higher logistics costs from China due to container imbalances and traffic redistribution.
On August 14, the Far Eastern terminal of Global Ports (Delo Group) reported a 26% month-over-month increase in the average daily loading of import containers into open-top wagons in July, reaching 190 units. A daily record of 327 open-top wagons was achieved on July 22. Container imports through regional ports grew by 41% year-on-year in January–July, reaching 752,000 TEU. Part of the trains are assembled at Nakhodka-Vostochnaya station, and part are dispatched directly from the terminal. The terminal plans to dispatch at least three trains daily. While risks hinder southern port operations, Far Eastern terminals are handling import containers via open-top wagons and absorbing costs related to equipment imbalances.
Ministry of Agriculture Task Force and Maritime Administration
On August 12, Minister Oksana Lut held a meeting on alternative export routes for grain and fat-and-oil products. According to Interfax, the Ministry of Agriculture is working on shifting cargo flows toward Baltic, Caspian, and Far Eastern ports as well as overland corridors, preparing additional support measures. A dedicated operational task force comprising regional officials, exporters, and transport infrastructure operators will coordinate procurement, evacuation plans, pricing, rail application approvals, and shipment monitoring—primarily focusing on the Rostov region, where the early grain harvest has concluded.
On the same day, the USDA reduced its forecast for Russian wheat exports in the 2026/27 season by 1.5 million tons in its August report, down to 46 million tons from 47.5 million in July. The downgrade stems from logistical disruptions in the Azov and Black Seas. The wheat crop forecast was maintained at 88.5 million tons, while ending stocks were revised up to 13.59 million tons.
On August 14, the Ministry of Transport published a draft bill establishing a unified Maritime Administration of Russia. The new executive body under the ministry will be formed on the basis of existing sea port administrations, taking over vessel registration, crew certification, and global fleet tracking. Harbor masters will retain their duties regarding state port control, ship clearance, and navigational safety in ports and approach channels. Public consultations run through August 28, 2026.
Operations at the Novorossiysk grain hub are constrained by attacks, the suspension of KSK terminal activities, and rail network restrictions. The USDA reduced Russian wheat export estimates, while alternative logistics routes are incurring higher costs. Logistics managers are advised to recalculate southern transport slots, budget for surcharges and extended lead times on Baltic and Far Eastern routes, and prepare contingency plans in case full operational capacity at Novorossiysk is not promptly restored.