Sea of Azov

Why in News?

According to a recent Reuters analysis, Russia could quickly restart up to 80% of its grain terminal capacity in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov if a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine halts attacks on ports and vessels. However, three terminals accounting for about 20% of the region’s Russian grain-export infrastructure have suffered significant damage and may require months for repairs.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is leading an international effort involving grain-importing countries to restore Black Sea grain trade. Disruptions are significant because Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, and interruptions to shipments can affect international grain prices and global food-security concerns.

About the Sea of Azov

The Sea of Azov is a relatively shallow inland sea located between southern Ukraine and southwestern Russia. It forms a northern extension of the Black Sea and is connected to it through the Kerch Strait.

The Black Sea–Sea of Azov region is strategically important for agricultural trade. Before the recent disruptions, the route accounted for a major share of Russia’s grain exports; Reuters analysis found that the region’s terminals had a combined capacity of about 67 million tonnes, of which facilities with around 53 million tonnes of capacity were temporarily idle because of security risks.

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