In the face of Russia's intensified military aggression, Ukraine has managed to significantly increase grain exports this summer, taking advantage of military advances in the Black Sea region.
As an important global producer of wheat and corn, the country has historically relied on Karadeniz ⁇ for its monthly grain exports of approximately 6 million tons. Despite ongoing conflicts, Ukraine's grain sales continue to be vital to its economy, especially as global prices continue to remain weak.
Ukraine's UGA merchant association reported that food exports more than doubled in July compared to July 2023, exceeding 4.2 million metric tons, although Russian forces targeted important export points such as the port of Odessa in the Black Sea and Izmail on the Danube River.
These ports are vital for the transportation of grain to Europe. The destinations of exports made in July were not announced, but historically Ukrainian wheat was mainly sold to Spain, Egypt and Indonesia, while corn exports were mainly made to Spain and China.
The latest export increase includes new season wheat and corn from last year's significant harvest. In July, Ukraine exported 3.7 million tons of agricultural products via Odessa and 569,000 tons via the Danube. These figures mean a significant increase compared to 291,000 tons and 2.07 million tons exported from these routes in July 2023.
According to LSEG shipping data, six corn shipments were also made from Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi ⁇ , Ukraine ⁇ 's other operational Black Sea ports, to Rotterdam and Spain ⁇ 's Cartegna port in June and July. Additional shipments to China, Egypt and Turkey were also recorded by Kpler.
Despite the increase in sales last month, total exports in the 2024/25 season are expected to fall due to adverse weather conditions and the ongoing war, according to the estimates of the ASAP agricultural consulting company. It is estimated that grain exports from Ukraine will fall by 14.5 million tons per year to 35 million tons, the lowest level in almost a decade.
Ukraine created a shipping corridor after the collapse of the UN-backed Black Sea grain export initiative last year. This was possible because Russia's Black Sea Fleet moved most of its combat-ready warships away from the occupied Crimea.
The improved security situation has led to lower insurance and freight prices, increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian exports. The challenge for Kiev ⁇ is to maintain the functionality of its accessible ports for maritime transport.
Despite avoiding major ship damage, Ukrainian ports have suffered numerous missile and drone attacks. According to Dmytro Barinov ⁇ , Vice-President of the Port Authority of Ukraine, the sensitivity of these attacks shows that Russia ⁇ made a deliberate attempt to hinder Ukraine ⁇ 's export capabilities.
As the country's navy chief, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa ⁇ , points out, the Ukrainian military, including the air defense force and missile systems, provides protection to ships entering and leaving ports. But challenges such as power cuts continue to disrupt port operations and exports.
The cost of war risk premiums for ships entering Ukrainian ports is of concern; Recently the value of the ship %Although there are offers up to 1.2 ⁇ , discounts are available.
These premiums have increased since a missile strike in Pivdennyi ⁇ in November damaged a ship, but costs could rise if security conditions worsen. Insurers are keeping a close eye on the situation, and war risks can adjust their insurance rates accordingly.
Neil Roberts ⁇ , head of maritime and aviation at Lloyd ⁇ s Market Association ⁇ , reported that during the year in which it operated, Ukraine ⁇ 's maritime corridor facilitated the delivery of 57.7 million tons of cargo to 46 countries with 2,059 ships, 39 million tons of which were agricultural products. Individual insurers continue to assess the situation to determine appropriate rates based on evolving risks.
Reuters contributed to this article.
This article was created, translated and reviewed by an editor with the support of artificial intelligence. See our Terms and Conditions for more information.
Geographical Location and Transportation Potential of Turkey
Turkey is a natural bridge between Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East and has great potential in terms of transportation. The fact that Turkey is located on the passageways of three continents makes it the focal point of a transportation network extending to the Atlantic Ocean with the Strait of Gibraltar, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal, and Eurasia and the Far East with the Black Sea-Mediterranean connections of the Turkish Straits. This situation further increases the importance of Turkey in terms of cabotage, international and transit transportation.
Importance of Sea Freight
Maritime goods transportation is the type of transportation that has the highest share in terms of both volume and value of the goods transported in Turkey, as in the whole world. According to the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), exports in 2023 , while imports ,9 ⁇ u was carried out by sea. These data reveal the critical role of the seaway in our foreign trade.
Export and Import by Sea in 2023
Top 10 Countries in Our Exports by Sea
Sequence of No
Country of origin
2023 (USD only)
the Rate (%)
1
United States of America
10.215.794.394
13,7
2
History of Italy
10.117.183.427
13,6
3
History of England
9.833.552.574
13,2
4
History of Spain
8.624.789.204
11,6
5
Germany (disambigu
8.605.335.350
11,5
6
History of France
8.187.678.687
11,0
7
The Russian Fed.
6.026.534.332
8,1
8
the Netherlands
4.523.748.262
6,6
9
History of Belgium
3.243.908.589
6,0
10
History of Egypt
3.040.152.061
4,3
TOP 10 TOTAL
72.418.676.880
50,5
THE GENERAL TOTAL
143.358.000.000
100,0
Top 10 Countries in Our Imports by Sea
Sequence of No
Country of origin
2023 (USD only)
the Rate (%)
1
People of China
34.017.277.169
26,90
2
The Russian Fed.
29.351.294.398
23,21
3
Germany (disambigu
12.522.928.968
9,90
4
United States of America
8.367.031.726
6,62
5
History of Italy
8.278.587.713
6,55
6
History of Spain
8.233.947.471
6,51
7
Republic of South Korea
7.955.325.615
6,29
8
History of France
7.138.720.416
5,64
9
History of India
6.154.564.188
4,87
10
History of England
4.449.442.739
3,52
TOP 10 TOTAL
126.469.120.403
64,79
THE GENERAL TOTAL
195.172.000.000
100,0
Top 10 Products in Our Exports by Sea
The first and most important product in terms of dollar value in our exports by sea in 2023 is by far ⁇ Motorized land vehicles, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and other land vehicles, their parts, parts, accessories ⁇ GTİP group. The share of the total of the top 10 products in our exports by sea is in 2023 %It was 53.49.
Sequence of No
Name of GTIP
The GTIP Code
2023 (USD only)
the Rate (%)
1
Motor vehicles, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and other land vehicles, their components, parts, accessories
87
22.121.490.346
28,85
2
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products derived from their distillation, bituminous substances, mineral waxes
27
13.963.077.676
18,21
3
Boilers, machinery, mechanical devices and instruments, nuclear reactors, their components and parts
84
9.651.435.525
12,59
4
Iron and steel
72
7.485.530.332
9,76
5
Electrical machines and devices, audio recording-exporting, television image-audio recording-exporting devices, components-parts-accessory
85
5.981.563.084
7,80
6
Iron or steel articles
73
4.852.362.943
6,33
7
Plastics and their products
39
4.594.914.360
5,99
8
Salt, sulfur, soils and stones, plasters, lime and cement
25
2.986.138.519
3,89
9
Organic-inorganic compounds of inorganic chemicals, precious metals, radioactive elements, metals and isotopes
28
2.548.527.706
3,32
10
Motor vehicles, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and other land vehicles, their components, parts, accessories
87
2.502.098.284
3,26
TOP 10 TOTAL
76.687.138.775
53,49
THE GENERAL TOTAL
143.358.000.000
100,0
Importance of Ports in Turkey
The ports in our country are of great importance in terms of the effectiveness of our foreign trade. According to the 2023 data obtained from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the cargo amounts in tons handled in the first 10 ports of our country are shown in the tables below.
Sequence of No
the Port Authority
the Turkish Flag
with a foreign flag
the Foreign Trade
1
Kocaeli
5.207.437
63.673.890
68.881.327
2
Aliaga (disambiguation)
2.815.315
65.829.169
68.644.484
3
History of Iskenderun
2.165.726
50.972.189
53.137.915
4
Mersin
2.434.532
38.246.687
40.681.219
5
Tekirdağ
715.971
22.106.635
22.822.606
6
the Warehouse
3.308.007
16.812.690
20.120.697
7
Ceyhan
520.115
17.644.348
18.164.463
8
Samsun
641.626
11.041.354
11.682.980
9
Gemlik
1.328.546
10.159.604
11.488.150
10
Karabiga
695.717
10.537.295
11.233.012
THE TOTAL TOTAL
19.832.992
307.023.861
326.856.853
Tonne-based load quantities handled in Turkey's top 10 ports
Source of: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
DEVELOPMENTS IN SEAWIRE TRANSPORTATION
Problems in the Suez Canal
November 19th, 2023 The pro-Iranian Houthis, which have been operating in Yemen since then, started to target international ships passing through the Babu ⁇ l Mendeb Strait for allegedly carrying cargo to Israel in support of Hamas ⁇ a. On this development, the major international container transportation companies stopped the passage through the said strait and The Cape of Hope⁇ na is directed. The last bottleneck in the Suez Canal was in March 2021, when the Ever Given container ship blocked the passage for six days.
About the global trade of container ships %The fact that 12 ⁇ will pass through the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal where it is transported has increased both costs and transit times. Transport between Asia and Europe according to the location of the ports of origin and destination of the Suez Canal 10 days to 14 days It is shortened between. For example, while the distance between Singapore and Rotterdam is approximately 8,400 nautical miles using the Suez Canal, the distance is approximately if the Cape of Good Hope is crossed on this route. %It increases by 40 to 11,700 nautical miles. This amounts to an additional transport time of approximately 10 days-14 days and an additional transport distance of 6,500 kilometers and an additional cost of approximately $1,000 to $2,000 per container depending on the delivery port. In case of deterioration of the container supply flow, the mentioned freight costs are expected to increase further.
Therefore, if security concerns cannot be addressed, the Cape of Good Hope route is expected to put pressure on the global supply chain in a short time. In addition, there is a possibility of a chain increase in product prices, especially fuel prices, due to the prolongation of their routes.
In terms of our country, The fact that the Suez Canal is not used by commercial ships directly affects the transportation corridors surrounding Turkey. This negative situation causes a decrease in the container stock and the amount of empty equipment in the ports in the Eastern Mediterranean and the ports in the Mediterranean of our country, and an increase in export and import freight prices. About 19,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal each year. Currently, merchant ships that cannot use the Suez Canal try to provide service by circulating the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, as an alternative route.
As a solution, the US administration announced the establishment of a multinational mission against the Houthis' increasing attacks on international ships in the Red Sea. Established to prevent attacks the Welfare Guard Operation In addition to the United States, the multinational mission includes the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles and Spain, and attempts have been made by the United States to participate in other countries in order to expand the mission. It is stated that the naval units of these countries will coordinate patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea despite the attacks of the Houthis on commercial ships.
However, in the short term, the cargoes that reach the ports of our country by crossing the Suez canal from the Far East by container can be transported to our country by road after unloading their cargo at the ports in the Persian Gulf instead of this route. However, the ongoing internal disturbances in Iraq, Syria and Israel along this route, the lack of infrastructure in the ports mentioned and the insufficient capacity prevent the effective use of this route.
Restrictions in the Panama Canal
As is known, El Niño, one of the most important consequences of global warming and recent temperature increases, causes seawater temperatures to increase, especially in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean, and lasts nine to twelve months, occurring at intervals ranging from 2 to 7 years. El Niño is beginning to show its results on economic factors as well as climatic changes.
In this context, Panama ⁇ , which has received less rainfall than expected since the beginning of 2023, has started to experience a decrease in sea water level due to a record increase in air temperatures. The drop in water level is about 80 kilometers long, linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, and is a major contributor to world trade. %The Panama Canal, where 6 of them passed, caused a disruption in traffic. In the canal, where approximately 14,000 ships pass on an annual basis and 203 million tons of cargo pass annually, the Panama Canal Authority announced that the number of transits will be gradually reduced, and the number of transits in the canal has been reduced from an average of 36 ⁇ to 24 ⁇ per day for the first quarter of 2024 ⁇ . It has been announced that from March 2024, the limitation of 24 ship crossings per day will be increased to 27 ⁇ and daily crossings of 7 ⁇ si neomax and 20 ⁇ si panamax ships will be allowed until further notice.
In this respect, the routes of the ships had to be changed in order to prevent the long waiting times in Kanal ⁇ and in this context, the routes of the ships coming from Asya ⁇ started to be directed to the Suez Canal. Therefore, Suez crossings began to increase until the end of 2023, when the problems in the Red Sea began to show their effect. The aforementioned cuts in the Panama Canal, whose most important users are the United States and China, continue to affect the large and small economies that depend on the waterway in question.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis and Grain Corridor
The Russia-Ukraine Crisis, as in other fields, has deeply affected our country in the field of logistics, especially in the food sector, causing disruptions in the supply chain. As it is known, in order to solve the problems experienced in grain trade due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, ⁇ The Joint Command Coordination Center ⁇ was opened again in Istanbul ⁇ on July 27, 2022 by signing ⁇ The Safe Shipment of Grains and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian Ports Initiative ⁇ between Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations (UN) on July 22, 2022. The duty of the center is to ensure the safe transportation of grain and similar food products to be exported from Ukraine from the ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhne by sea. The center consists of 5 ⁇ representatives from Russia, Ukraine and BM ⁇ , together with Turkey, including soldiers and civilians.
Periods of the Grain Corridor Agreement
the Period Period
History of
1. First Signature Date of the Semester
22.07.2022 ⁇ 19.11.2022
2. Period First Extension (120 days)
19.11.2022 ⁇ 18.03.2023
3. Period Second Extension (60 days)
19.03.2023 ⁇ 18.05.2023
4. Term Third Extension (60 days)
18.05.2023 ⁇ 17.07.2023
Periods of the Grain Corridor Agreement
The Grain Corridor Agreement, which established the Joint Coordination Center, has been mutually extended three times and in the last case, as of July 17, 2023, the Russian side announced that the agreement will not be extended again and announced that it has withdrawn. With the agreement, 1,004 ships and more than 32 million tons of grain were transported to the relevant countries through Turkey from August 1, 2022 to July 17, 2023, and the problems experienced in the food supply chain were resolved. These products are transported ⁇ ini corn, wheat and %5.8 of them are sunflower meal.
Following the end of the Grain Corridor Agreement, a temporary maritime corridor was established through the territorial waters of the countries of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania within the framework of a new initiative initiated by Ukraine on August 16, 2023 (humanitarian corridor). As a result of the re-operation of Çornomorsk, Pivdennıy and Odesa Ports within the scope of the temporary corridor, approximately 27 million tons of products were exported within six months.
RO-RO Transportation in Turkey
Transport of Ro-Ro Roll-on/Roll-off is a type of maritime transport that allows wheeled vehicles to enter and exit ships on their own wheels. This system allows vehicles transporting on the road to make part of the journey by sea. This type of transport is particularly suitable for trucks, trucks and other wheeled vehicles.
Advantages of Ro-Ro Transportation
There are many reasons why Ro-Ro transportation is preferred:
The cost is: Ro-Ro transport is generally less costly than other types of transport.
Safety of: Carrying out transportation by sea ensures the safe transportation of vehicles and cargo.
Passport and Traffic Issues: It helps to get rid of transit document and traffic problems in different countries.
Duration of Drivers' Stay: Increases operational efficiency by shortening the duration of drivers' stay abroad.
Problems with visas: Minimizes drivers' visa-related problems.
Global and Regional Importance of Ro-Ro Transport
Ro-Ro transportation is used effectively and efficiently in intercountry, intercity, intercontinental seaway and inland waterway transportation in different geographies around the world. It plays an important role in the transportation of finished products, especially in the automotive sector. Close road maritime transport between European Union countries is supported legally and politically and is more preferred every year.
Turkey's Strategic Position in Ro-Ro Transportation
As a country surrounded by seas on three sides with more than 8,400 km of coastline, Turkey has an advantageous position in global transportation activities. Ro-Ro transportation, which is the most important and functional type of combined transportation, offers new exit routes and routes to international goods transportation by road with the advantage of Turkey's geographical location. It draws attention to the fact that the Mediterranean Sea is the most transported sea in the near road sea transportation carried out between the countries of the European Union. Especially the Italy-Turkey Ro-Ro line is one of the busiest lines.
Ro-Ro Ports in Turkey
Name of port
the City Hall
Port of Cesme
History of Izmir
Port of Mersin
Mersin
Port of Samsun
Samsun
Port of Iskenderun
Hatay
Port of Ambarlı
History of Istanbul
Port of Zonguldak
Zonguldak
Port of Haydarpaşa
History of Istanbul
Port of Taşucu
Mersin
Port of Trabzon
Trabzon
Port of Pendik
History of Istanbul
the Tekirdağ Port
Tekirdağ
Port of Tuzla
History of Istanbul
2023 Vehicle Statistics Carried on Regular Ro-Ro Lines Connected Abroad
The lines are
the Incoming Vehicle
The outgoing vehicle
Total transported vehicle
Tuzla (Pendik)-Trieste
132.393
107.659
240.052
Yalova-Sete
61.083
56.353
117.436
Çeşme-Trieste
34.327
35.037
69.364
Mersin-Trieste
27.873
28.797
56.670
Tuzla (Pendik)-Patras
3.268
2.731
5.999
Fountain of Chios
175
800
975
Tuzla (Pendik)-Bari
3.362
4.029
7.391
Category: Izmir-Sete (disambiguation)
1.824
3.458
5.282
Kocaeli-Zeebrugge
15
450
465
Gemlik and Antwerp
93
13
106
Kocaeli and Antwerp
362
6
368
Kocaeli-Bremerhaven
0
154
154
Kocaeli-Koper
2
115
117
Kocaeli ⁇ Valencia
475
1
476
Total European Ro-Ro Lines
265.252
239.603
504.855
Samsun-Tuapse
20.633
21.271
41.904
Samsun-Novorossiysk
15.990
21.047
37.037
Istanbul ⁇ Novorossiysk
73
978
1.051
Karasu-Tuapse
4.294
7.830
12.124
the Karasu - Novorossiysk
280
1.622
1.902
Istanbul ⁇ Tuapse
124
662
786
Total Black Sea Ro-Ro Lines
41.394
53.410
94.504
Mersin and Gazimağusa
20.482
21.662
42.144
Taşucu-Girne
13.675
15.311
28.986
Tashucu-Tripoli (Lebanon)
8.441
7.998
16.439
Mersin-Hayfa
2.465
2.654
5.119
Mersin-Girne
1.332
460
1.792
Taşucu and Gazimağusa
887
2
889
Iskenderun ⁇ Haifa
716
721
1.437
Total Mediterranean Ro-Ro Lines
47.998
48.808
96.806
Category: Iskenderun-Darus Salam (disambiguation)
0
114
114
Total Indian Ocean Ro-Ro Lines
0
114
114
Other Ro-Ro Lines
897
657
1.554
Total of
355.541
342.592
698.133
Source of: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
INFORMATION ABOUT KARASU-KÖSTENCE RO-RO LINE
Two important initiatives have been made in the field of Ro-Ro transportation between Turkey and Romania. First, on December 9, 2011, a Ro-Ro line between Pendik (Istanbul) and Constanta (Romania) was put into operation. However, this line ended in September 2012. The second attempt was made with the opening of the Karasu-Constan Ro-Ro line on February 3, 2021. Unfortunately, this line also ceased its operations on February 18, 2021. Economic factors such as Romania's high port fees, domestic customs, bridge and highway costs were instrumental in closing both lines soon after.
Operational challenges, such as the type of ship and the number of voyages, also played a role in closing these lines. In particular, problems such as the absence of Ro-Pax vessels, the absence of a customs allocated to Ro-Ro transports in the Port of Constanța, and prolonged official transactions have led to increased costs and prolonged voyage times. Applications such as X-Ray and physical control of all vehicles, and full detection of partial loads have also been effective in this process. In particular, the lack of laboratories for the analysis of products such as fresh vegetables and fruits has led to a decrease in customer demand. The deactivation of Ukrainian ports after the Russia-Ukraine war also increased the density of the Port of Constanta.
In line with the support requests of the sector, the Regulation on Supporting the Transfer of Road Freights to the Seaway published in the Official Gazette dated 9 August 2022 and numbered 31918 by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has entered into force in order for the Karasu-Constance Ro-Ro line to be operational again and to gain continuity. Within the scope of this regulation, pilotage and towage fees will be supported for all ships without flag separation on the newly opened lines, and for Turkish flagged ships (Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax), additionally, for 10 miles of nautical miles per cargo unit, 2 dollars for Ro-Ro and 3 dollars for Ro-Pax. Under these conditions, a ship carrying 100 trucks, calculated for 200 nautical miles, would receive a support of $2,000. It is also stated that the Romanian government is working on granting some exemptions in order to reduce the costs of the line.
DP World, the operator of the South Constanța-Agigea Port Ro-Ro terminal, announced in its announcement that the terminal preparations for the resumption of Ro-Ro flights on the Karasu-Constanța line have been completed and operations have started on July 3, 2024. The launch of the first Ro-Pax vessel with a capacity of 120 trucks on the Karasu-Constance line in July enables reciprocal flights to be carried out three times a week. These developments are considered as important steps for the re-operation of the line and its continuity.
