The halt of navigation in the Rostov region became the basis for the lawsuit for the idle time of the vessel.

The company "Azovtorgflot" filed a lawsuit against the Rostov shipping company "Agroexport" and demands 10.5 million rubles for the idle time of the vessel. Shipping companies had previously appealed to the authorities to recognize the halt of navigation in the Azov Sea as a force majeure, while the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation stated that no restrictions on commercial shipping had been imposed in the ports.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the diesel fuel shortage has led to losses during the harvest, and the purchase prices for grain are below production costs, farmers reported. Maritime exports from southern Russia have faced problems, and shipments through the ports of the Baltic or the Far East seem unrealistic. As a result, the current situation may lead to a series of bankruptcies among agricultural producers, analysts indicated.

The company "Azovtorgflot" filed a lawsuit against the Rostov shipping company "Agroexport" and demands 10.5 million rubles. The case has appeared in the registry of the Arbitration Court of the Rostov region, reports 161.ru

Previously, Russian shipping companies stated that they could not conduct commercial activities in the ports of the Azov-Black Sea basin. They claimed that up to 85% of the berthing front of the ports is occupied by damaged vessels, blocking the operation of infrastructure. According to them, almost half of the emergency fleet remains at sea with cargo on board. Companies requested to recognize the situation as force majeure. The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation stated that no restrictions on commercial shipping had been imposed in the ports. The agency noted that it could not recognize the situation as force majeure and impose a moratorium on the payment for vessel parking and infrastructure rental, as this is beyond their competence.

Prior to this, shipping companies appealed to the authorities to recognize the halt of navigation in the Azov Sea as force majeure. Letters with corresponding demands were sent to the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), reports the magazine "Pole.RF".

"This is not just about delays in cargo. The lack of revenue from the sale of the harvest jeopardizes the servicing of loans taken for sowing and financing the new agricultural cycle," the publication quotes the words of the coordinator of the appeals, deputy of the Azov City Duma of the Rostov region Alexey Velichko.

Restrictions on navigation in the Azov Sea have been in effect since July 10, 2026 — they were introduced after attacks on the civilian fleet. Damaged vessels currently occupy up to 85% of the berthing front of the ports, blocking the operation of infrastructure. Almost half of the emergency fleet remains at sea with cargo on board — this is about 300,000 tons of export products. Direct costs for idle time, maintenance, and upcoming repairs of vessels are estimated by market participants at 6.7 billion rubles. The restoration of the fleet, according to their calculations, will cost $50–75 million. Rosmorport continues to charge port fees and rent, although it is currently impossible to conduct commercial activities in the ports. Shipowners warn of a threat to the agro-industrial complex. Small ports in Azov, Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, and Yeysk provide exports of legumes, meal, cake, and molasses. Redirecting these cargoes to the Northwest ports is economically unfeasible. The business requests to recognize the situation as force majeure under Article 401 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation or impossibility of fulfilling obligations under Article 417 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. This will allow for the cancellation of fines for contract breaches and write off charges for forced idle time. It is also proposed to impose a moratorium on the payment for vessel parking and infrastructure rental — during the restrictions and for another three months after their removal. Additionally, the authors of the appeals request to create an interdepartmental headquarters to coordinate the restoration of the ports, reports "Expert.Yug".

Five companies and entrepreneurs signed the appeals: shipping operators "Azovportflot", "Azovflotservice", and "Azovtorgflot", individual entrepreneur Evgeny Kokotkin, and exporter of grain and processed products "KBK Export".