Ukrainian ports halt handling of ammonium nitrate after Navy warning — NV

During martial law, the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, prohibited the entry of commercial vessels carrying explosive materials into Ukrainian ports. The relevant letter to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) is dated July 7 and has been seen by NV Business.

The letter states that the restriction aims to prevent a technological disaster in case such vessels or port storage facilities are struck by enemy missiles.

"To avoid a man-made disaster caused by an enemy strike on a vessel, vehicle, or storage site with dangerous cargo, we propose that the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority take measures to prevent the approval of vessel entry into Ukrainian ports carrying ammonia-based substances, conduct loading/unloading operations, or store such cargo in port areas," the document says.

The Navy Command also recommends excluding such vessels from port call schedules. If vessels carrying hazardous cargo have already arrived, they are advised to unload at ports in neighbouring countries not under missile threat.

The restriction applies specifically to anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, ammonia-based solutions, and other explosive substances.

In response to the Navy's letter, the head of the Port of Chornomorsk, Oleksii Maliarenko, issued a notice on July 9 to shipping agents and terminal operators, stating that the information should be acknowledged and shared with all relevant stakeholders.

According to NV, despite the advisory nature of both the Navy and USPA letters, Ukrainian ports have already suspended the reception and unloading of such cargo, as confirmed by industry sources. A final decision on whether to officially ban seaborne imports of ammonium-based products rests with the government.

Companies interested in importing nitrogen fertilizers are now looking for alternative routes, including rail shipments from ports in EU countries.