Russia's NKHP grain terminal may take four months to repair after drone attack
NKHP grain terminal at Novorossiysk could need up to four months for repairs after a Ukrainian drone attack, halting most Black Sea grain shipments.
Repair work at one of Russia's largest grain export terminals could take up to four months, the facility's operator said on Wednesday, following a Ukrainian drone attack that disrupted shipments from the country's main Black Sea port.
The terminal, operated by NKHP at Novorossiysk, was hit during a massive drone strike on August 12 that put all three grain terminals at the port out of action. The attack has halted almost all grain shipments through Black Sea and Azov Sea ports, which previously handled about 70% of Russia's grain exports.
NKHP, with an annual capacity of 7.1 million metric tons, is one of the three largest terminals at Novorossiysk, which together have a combined capacity of over 20 million tons. Total Russian seaborne grain exports last season reached 52.7 million tons.
The company said the loading gallery was among the damaged facilities, though the final repair timeline has yet to be determined. The other two terminals suffered less severe damage: Demetra's facility had lighter damage, while the Delo Group terminal was not damaged but remained suspended.
NKHP is owned by Russia's state-controlled United Grain Company, which confirmed the damage after the attack.
In response to the export disruptions, the Russian government is considering scrapping its grain export duty and is exploring ways to redirect shipments through Baltic, Caspian, and Far Eastern ports.