As security risks continue to escalate in Ukraine’s Black Sea region, international shipping lines are further adjusting their regional transport arrangements. German container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has announced that, due to deteriorating safety conditions in the Odesa area, its cooperating feeder operator has suspended calls at the relevant ports. The company has therefore temporarily halted its feeder services to Ukraine’s three major Black Sea ports. Affected cargo may face changes such as port diversion, transshipment, and additional logistics costs, with the resulting expenses to be borne by the cargo interests.

In a customer advisory issued recently, Hapag-Lloyd stated that its cooperating feeder operator has ceased vessel calls at Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including:

- Chornomorsk

- Odesa

- Pivdennyi (also known as Southern Port)

The above feeder connections are currently suspended, and resumption of services will be announced at a later date.

Hapag-Lloyd noted that, as the feeder services to these ports are temporarily unavailable, cargo originally destined for these ports may need to be discharged at alternative ports. The specific arrangements will be determined based on the cargo status, operational feasibility, and local security assessments.

For affected cargo, Hapag‑Lloyd is evaluating the Danube River port of Reni in Ukraine as the preferred alternative discharge location.

If operational conditions allow, Hapag‑Lloyd may contact affected customers to confirm subsequent handling arrangements and assist with destination changes. Should Reni prove unsuitable for actual transport needs, Hapag‑Lloyd may also offer other alternatives on a case‑by‑case basis, including diversion to ports in Romania or Poland for onward transportation.

Hapag‑Lloyd emphasised that the relevant adjustments will be assessed individually for each shipment, based on the specific cargo circumstances and the operational instructions provided by customers.

Regarding the additional operational costs arising from the suspension of port services, Hapag‑Lloyd stated that it will handle the related arrangements in accordance with Clause 17 of the Bill of Lading terms and conditions, “Matters Affecting Performance”.

During the service suspension period, Hapag‑Lloyd will make every effort to safeguard affected cargo and mitigate the impact of transport disruptions.

However, any extra expenses incurred from destination changes, cargo storage, onward transportation, and other necessary operations will be borne by the cargo interests.

In fact, Hapag‑Lloyd is not the only shipping line to have recently adjusted its Black Sea services to Ukraine.

Earlier, Maersk also made adjustments to its Ukraine-related transport network in response to rising security risks in the Black Sea region.

On 22 July, Maersk announced an indefinite suspension of its service to the port of Chornomorsk. As its cooperating feeder carrier was unable to continue providing transport services to and from the port, Maersk decided to suspend calls at that port until further notice.

Under Maersk’s previous arrangements, certain import cargo was to be diverted to Constanța port in Romania for discharge. For export cargo already booked but not yet shipped, customers could request cancellation or adjustment of transport arrangements; containers already received at the terminal could be loaded at Constanța instead and continue their onward journey.

It should be noted that Maersk’s adjustment primarily affected the feeder service to Chornomorsk and did not constitute a complete closure of all Ukrainian ports. Ukrainian authorities had earlier indicated that the deep-water port of Chornomorsk and some ports around Odesa continued to operate, and that there were distinctions between these facilities.

As the security situation in the Black Sea region evolves, the stability of transport services to Ukrainian ports faces new challenges. For shippers and freight forwarders involved in Ukraine import/export business, it is now essential to closely monitor the latest notices from shipping lines, evaluate alternative ports, inland transport connections, and the potential increase in logistics costs well in advance.

Industry observers believe that if regional security risks persist, the timeline for resuming Black Sea services to Ukraine remains highly uncertain, and cargo owners should be prepared to adjust transport plans and manage supply chain risks accordingly.