Russian shipping difficulties affect metal trade-titanium, chromium, cobalt, nickel is affected
As the escalating conflict in Russia and Ukraine has disrupted supply at some major Russian ports, serious financing challenges are hindering a large number of metals produced in or exported from Russia, and end-users are increasingly worried about shipments.
Maersk (Maersk), Duffy (CMA) and Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) - -jointly handling more than half of the world's container transport operations- -all suspended non-essential operations in and out of Russia earlier last week.They all operate 1,965 container ships out of 6,337 worldwide, according to shipping consultancy Alphaliner.
Import restrictions in the recipient European countries further hinder supply chains.Britain has banned Russian ships from entering British ports, causing trouble for any importer of scrap titanium, chromium or nickel via Russia or from Russia or Central Europe.Chromium and iron chromium producers who receive chromium deposits from Kazakhstan via the Russian transit route are also receiving attention.Suppliers of these containers are expected to be diverted as some countries impose bans on containers from Russia.
