Novorossiysk Oil Terminal Resumes Partial Loadings After Drone Strike, Capacity Slashed

Russia's critical Novorossiysk oil terminal has restarted operations at a severely reduced capacity following a drone strike that forced a complete shutdown. The Sheskharis terminal resumed limited loadings late Thursday, but only a single berth is active, with just one cargo of approximately 80,000 tons expected to depart. This is a stark contrast to the facility's normal export capacity of roughly 700,000 barrels per day, signaling significant ongoing disruption.

The restart follows the Monday attack, which ignited fires at a fuel terminal and inflicted damage on loading infrastructure. The incident prompted a full suspension of all shipments. While fuel oil loadings have also partially resumed, and at least one diesel cargo has been shipped since the attack, the overall loading schedule remains heavily curtailed. Port sources indicate there is no clear timeline for a full return to normal operations.

The partial restart at Novorossiysk, one of Russia's primary Black Sea export hubs, exposes the vulnerability of key energy infrastructure to aerial attacks. The ongoing capacity constraints apply direct pressure on export flows, creating immediate logistical bottlenecks. The situation underscores the persistent risk to Russia's energy export corridors and highlights the tangible impact of such strikes on operational continuity and global supply chain stability.