The suspension took effect on 22 July 2026 and will remain in place until further notice. Maersk’s decision applies specifically to services handled through the Chornomorsk Fishing Port, which operates separately from the state-run Chornomorsk Commercial Sea Port. Ukrainian authorities say the main port in Chornomorsk and other ports in the Greater Odesa region are continuing to operate.
MEDKON MIRA diverted; imports to be discharged in Constanta
Maersk said the feeder operator is currently unable to continue serving Ukraine via the Chornomorsk Fishing Port. The vessel MEDKON MIRA V.629S, together with all import cargo originally destined for discharge in Chornomorsk, will instead call at Constanta, Romania. The diversion is being made under clause 20 of Maersk’s bill of lading terms, which covers circumstances affecting the performance of carriage.
The same change will apply to all import shipments with Chornomorsk listed as the port of discharge that are currently in Port Said, Egypt, or are scheduled to arrive there. Customers for whom Constanta is not an acceptable discharge location can request a change of cargo destination.
Maersk also says it can arrange onward transport from Romania into Ukraine. Transit times, available routing options and any additional charges will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.
Export shippers offered cancellations or a new loading port
The carrier also outlined options for export customers who had already booked transport via Chornomorsk. Bookings can be cancelled without cancellation or amendment fees. For containers that have already been gated in at the terminal, shippers may switch the port of loading to Constanta.
When changing the port of loading, Maersk says it will keep the existing ocean freight rate. However, the company notes that any cancellation or booking change should be arranged directly with customer service. Making changes independently via Maersk’s website may trigger an automatic amendment fee and a recalculation of the freight rate. Maersk also offers to organise inland transport from Ukraine to Romania, with transit terms and pricing agreed separately.
Only one terminal affected, not the entire Chornomorsk port complex
Maersk’s announcement applies to the service handled through the Chornomorsk Fishing Port, rather than the entire port complex in the city.
Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry said the deep-water Chornomorsk Commercial Sea Port, along with other ports in the Greater Odesa region, remains open and operational.
The suspension affects one carrier’s service and one specific terminal, but cargo handling in Chornomorsk has not stopped entirely. It does, however, reduce capacity for part of the container flow.
Chornomorsk is one of Ukraine’s largest ports, handling general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk and oversized shipments. It has warehouse capacity of around 1.5 million tonnes, rail and road links, and its own auxiliary fleet.
Another setback for Chornomorsk-linked operations
Maersk is the second major company to scale back activity linked to Chornomorsk in July 2026. Earlier, Kernel Holding, Ukraine’s largest grain exporter, suspended operations at the main commercial port.
In recent weeks, attacks on ports, terminals and maritime export routes have intensified. Damage to infrastructure and rising risks for vessels and crews are making it harder to maintain regular services.
In 2024 and 2025, the largest carriers gradually restored feeder container links with Ukraine, using the rebuilt shipping corridor in the Black Sea. Before that, Romanian ports and barge transport on the Danube played a key role in moving Ukrainian cargo.
The latest suspension underlines that direct calls to Ukrainian ports remain highly dependent on the current security environment and the availability of port infrastructure.
Constanta set to take on more Ukraine-related volumes again
Rerouting containers is set to strengthen Constanta’s role as a key gateway supporting Ukraine’s foreign trade. The Romanian port has already served as one of the main transhipment hubs for cargo moving into and out of Ukraine.
At the same time, the detour may extend end-to-end transit times and require an additional road, rail or intermodal leg between Romania and Ukraine. Costs and delivery schedules will depend on capacity availability in Constanta and on the options for onward inland transport.
Maersk has not indicated when the service will resume. Calls via the Chornomorsk Fishing Port will remain suspended until further notice, with further updates to follow if operational conditions change.
