Russia reroutes pig iron exports through Arctic port after Ukrainian strikes — FT

Russia has restarted pig iron exports through Arctic port of Murmansk after 30 years, as a response to strikes affecting Black Sea shipping, according to the Financial Times. On November 6, Murmansk port released footage showing pig iron loading onto a ship. Port officials revealed a surge in cargo traffic due to altered shipping routes in southern Russia.

Murmansk resumed handling pig iron on October 14, 30 years after its last shipment in 1996. The shipment is likely headed to Türkiye, as the EU banned Russian pig iron imports from January 1, 2026. More than 180 railcars with pig iron from the Urals were transported to Murmansk for a trial shipment of 65,000 metric tons. The route from Murmansk to the Mediterranean is about 10 days longer and more expensive than the Black Sea route, straining exporters.

Russian firms have had to find new routes following Black Sea strikes, with nearly 700 incidents since the start of the year, reported maritime security firm Ambrey. To keep exports going, Russia has shifted raw material shipments to Baltic ports, but congestion has forced some cargo to divert to further away ports. The last pig iron shipment from Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk left on July 31.

Murmansk has traditionally been a key hub for Russian oil exports, but has recently broadened its metals and grain handling. The port installed special loading buckets and electromagnet-equipped cargo machinery for pig iron shipments. After the trial, officials will determine if regular pig iron exports are viable. Metals analyst Austin Barnes from Argus said shipping from Murmansk to Türkiye costs nearly double that of Black Sea ports.

Some Russian producers are now paying an extra $100 per metric ton for rail and sea transport of raw materials, Barnes added. The diversion of cargo is straining Russia's rail network run by state-owned Russian Railways. Yoruk Isik, an Istanbul-based maritime analyst, said the hunt for alternative routes reveals serious issues with Russia's logistics network, citing limited transport infrastructure capacity to quickly redirect exports.