The leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have written jointly to the heads of the European Council and the European Commission, calling for a full EU ban on Russian grain and farm cargo moving through European transport infrastructure. Their argument: Russia is striking Ukrainian ports and ships while using EU routes to redirect its own exports.

A sudden shift to the Baltic

According to shipbroker IFCHOR Galbraiths, Russian grain loaded in Baltic ports jumped from roughly 216,000 tonnes in August to 1.16 million tonnes in September. Over the same period, loadings in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov dropped from 1.39 million tonnes to about 201,000 tonnes. The Baltic now handles about 80.7% of tracked Russian grain exports, up from 12.6%.

Russia is reported to be supporting the move with rail subsidies and incentives at Baltic terminals, even though the northern route costs exporters an estimated 30–35% more per tonne to markets such as Egypt and North Africa.

National measures already in place

Estonia has introduced its own sanctions banning transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its ports, and Latvia has stepped up inspections to stop grain taken from occupied Ukrainian areas.

What it means for shippers

War-risk insurance in the Black Sea has reportedly climbed from 0.1% to 0.5% of a vessel's value after drone attacks near Romania and Bulgaria. Anyone moving bulk or agricultural cargo through the Black Sea, the Danube or Baltic ports should expect higher insurance costs, possible new EU transit restrictions and tighter checks on cargo origin.