Dramatic consequences of attack k: Exports stopped, hundreds of millions of USD lost

[Starmix]

According to the report, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has experienced serious problems loading oil. Loading is two to three days behind schedule following a successful Ukrainian drone strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal. The damage was so severe that the capacity of key berths was significantly reduced, directly impacting exports. Three sources close to the situation confirm to Reuters: the strike damaged the berths at Sheskharis, which service large Suezmax tankers with a deadweight of around 140,000 tonnes. According to sources, some equipment at one of the Suezmax-class berths still requires repair, which will complicate a swift restart of loading and returning to the normal schedule.

The report also stated that at the Sheskharis oil terminal, there are two main berths: one intended for Suezmax and Aframax class tankers with a cargo capacity of around 100,000 tonnes, and the other for smaller vessels. In September and October, Novorossiysk remained an important hub for Russia’s oil exports. In October, volumes totaled about 3.22 million tonnes, roughly equivalent to 760,000 barrels per day, but in November, it has a huge fall.

The report said that Russia has the capacity to quickly deal with the consequences of the attack and restore export activity. At the same time, one trader said that exports of Kazakh oil, which also transits through Novorossiysk, could be delayed by 1–2 days. On November 14, the SBU, together with the Security and Defense Forces, attacked the port of Novorossiysk. The attack damaged oil-loading stands at the berths, the pipeline infrastructure, and pumping installations, after which a large fire erupted at the terminal. This port is the second-largest oil export center in Russia and an important logistics hub for exporting oil products through the Black Sea.