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MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. suspends new bookings for Russia's Novorossiysk port following a drone strike on the MSC ULSAN III.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., the world's largest container shipping company, has temporarily suspended new cargo bookings to and from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The decision was prompted by a drone attack on the MSC ULSAN III, a vessel bound for the port. While the company did not specify the exact date of the strike, it is monitoring security conditions and advising customers to seek alternative arrangements for imports and exports. MSC continues to operate through other Russian ports, such as St. Petersburg, and has maintained limited operations in Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These operations primarily focus on essential civilian goods like food, medicine, and clothing. The suspension in Novorossiysk, a strategic port for Russian oil and grain exports, comes amid a broader maritime campaign by Ukraine targeting Russian infrastructure. The disruption may impact logistical plans for Russian grain exports, which are currently facing challenges due to ongoing maritime and aerial drone strikes in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

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