Traders and processors ask for official recognition of the threat to shipping through the sea corridor to avoid contract defaults

Amidst the daily attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian ports and ships calling at them, shipowners are massively refusing to enter Ukraine. Most ships that were near the ports have refused to enter them, and new voyages are not even being considered.

In two weeks, freight rates for calling at Ukraine increased 2-3 times, but even when shipowners approved the vessel, captains refused to sail.

This situation threatens Ukrainian grain traders with non-fulfillment of contracts with buyers, so the business is asking the state to officially announce the suspension of the sea corridor to confirm force majeure.

This is especially true for grain contracts on a CIF basis, where the seller must charter a ship and deliver the grain to the buyer. In particular, this applies to deliveries of wheat and barley to North African countries - Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The news of increased shelling is not an argument for buyers, because the war has been going on for over 4 years, so official recognition by the state of the fact of stopping the operation of the sea corridor is required.

At the same time, Ukrainian traders are threatened not only with losses under contracts, but also with possible blacklisting of major importing countries, which will destroy Ukraine's reputation as a reliable supplier of grain.

The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) says the state should support Ukrainian exporters by officially recognizing the risks to shipping along the sea corridor, which would allow traders to explain non-fulfillment of contracts as force majeure and seek revision or cancellation of contracts. The UGA has already made this request to state authorities, but has not yet received a response, although the situation is unlikely to normalize in the next few weeks, given the regular shelling.

Amid the deteriorating security situation, which poses high risks to the lives of employees and the safety of production facilities, the Allseeds group of companies announced the suspension of operations in Ukraine, which will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation. At the same time, the company plans to preserve resources and opportunities to resume work after the situation stabilizes.

Recall that in December 2025, as a result of an attack by the Russian Federation, the Allseeds terminal for transshipment of vegetable oils was damaged, as a result of which thousands of tons of products were lost.