Dirty Tanker Vessel Loadings Drop 62%

"During the last two weeks of July, dirty tanker loadings from Russian Black Sea and Sea of Azov ports fell 62% compared to the previous four weeks’ average. Exports averaged 0.98 million barrels per day (mbpd) compared to 2.59 mbpd in the previous four weeks,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.

On July 6, 2026, Ukraine launched Operation MoLoChKa, a large-scale maritime drone campaign initially focused on Russia-linked shipping in the Sea of Azov. According to Ukraine, the operation aims to disrupt oil, fuel and cargo logistics used to circumvent sanctions and supply occupied Crimea. Initially, the campaign reportedly targeted smaller ships operating from Sea of Azov ports and was expanded into the Black Sea on 15 July.

By 28 July, Ukraine claimed that more than 200 ships had been attacked.

The operation has disrupted Sea of Azov shipments and reportedly contributed to Russia suspending navigation through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal, significantly hindering export flows. The attacks in the Black Sea may also make some shipowners more cautious about engaging in the trade, potentially creating further challenges for exports.