Russia Converts Baltic and Arctic Terminals as Grain Routes Shift

Russian grain exporters are expanding alternatives to the Black Sea by adapting existing fertilizer and coal terminals in Baltic and Arctic ports. Reuters reported that facilities at Ust Luga, St Petersburg and Murmansk are being prepared or used for grain, adding options to a system in which nearly 90 percent of seaborne grain exports had previously moved through the Black Sea.

At Ust Luga, fertilizer terminal operator Ultramar began handling grain in August. Rail applications for September were reported at about 260,000 metric tons, with destinations including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Murmansk was also preparing to handle grain exports from October.

Diversification comes during a weaker export start

Reuters reported July and August grain exports of about 4.4 million metric tons, down roughly 31 percent, while September shipments were projected near 2.45 million metric tons, around half the year earlier level.

Using terminals designed for other bulk commodities can create capacity without building a new grain port from the ground up. Industry officials cited spare terminal capacity, suggesting additional grain handling does not automatically require an equivalent reduction in fertilizer shipments.

For importers, especially in North Africa and the Middle East, the route shift matters because port geography can change freight economics, shipment schedules and supply resilience.

Image credit: Компания «Новотранс» via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 4.0.