The restriction was said to have been communicated verbally, without an official notice to shipping companies and the port was still operating normally outside those hours, with grain shipments not yet affected.
Novorossiysk is Russia’s largest port by cargo volume and a major outlet for grain, oil, metals and containers.
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The nighttime closure follows earlier restrictions in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, as Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian vessels and maritime infrastructure that affect routes used for a large share of Moscow’s grain exports.
Grain that had been moving through the Sea of Azov could now be redirected to Novorossiysk.
Shipping disrupted on both sides
Shipping disruption is also affecting the Ukrainian side of the Black Sea.
Danish shipping giant Maersk said on Wednesday that it had suspended services from Chornomorsk’s fishing port in southern Ukraine until further notice. Although the company did not directly blame Russian strikes, it said shipments would temporarily be redirected to the Romanian port of Constanța.
ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 22, 2026
Major Ukrainian grain exporter Kernel made a similar move last week.
Ukrainian authorities said Chornomorsk’s separately operated deep-water port and other ports in the wider Odesa region remained open, even as Russia intensified attacks on export routes, including commercial vessels and port infrastructure.
Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine accounted for around 6% of global wheat exports and 11% of corn exports. Its Black Sea grain-export capacity has since fallen by roughly one third.
Analysts at Poland’s PKO Bank Polski said disruption to Russian shipping was a major factor behind this month’s sharp rise in wheat prices. Euronext September wheat futures rose another 4.5% following news of the Novorossiysk restrictions.
This article includes reporting from Reuters
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