Dirty tanker loadings from Russian ports in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov fell sharply during the second half of July. BIMCO reported a 62% decline during the final two weeks of the month. The organisation compared the figures with the average from the previous four weeks. “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,” said Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst, BIMCO. “Exports averaged 0.98 million barrels per day compared to 2.59 million barrels per day in the previous four weeks,” added Rasmussen. Operation MoLoChKa affects shipping Ukraine launched Operation MoLoChKa on 6 July 2026. The large-scale maritime drone campaign initially focused on Russia-linked shipping in the Sea of Azov. According to Ukraine, the operation targets oil, fuel and cargo logistics. Ukraine claims that Russia uses these networks to bypass sanctions and supply occupied Crimea. Initially, the campaign reportedly targeted smaller ships operating from Sea of Azov ports. However, Ukraine expanded the operation into the Black Sea on 15 July. By 28 July, Ukraine claimed that its forces had attacked more than 200 ships. The operation disrupted shipments from the Sea of Azov. It also reportedly contributed to Russia suspending navigation through the Kerch Strait and Don-Azov Canal. Meanwhile, attacks in the Black Sea may make some shipowners more cautious about entering the trade. Kazakh oil exports also decline The disruption also affected Kazakh oil exports from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk. “Kazakh dirty tanker exports have been hurt as badly as Russian exports,” said Rasmussen. “Oil loadings from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk have fallen 62% during the past two weeks compared to the previous four weeks,” he added. Several Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea appeared to focus around the CPC terminal. However, EU countries recei