{
  "id": 8768981,
  "title": "Turkey seeks Black Sea shipping deal as attacks threaten grain trade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/turkey-seeks-black-sea-shipping-deal-as-attacks-threaten-grain-trade",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T21:00:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/turkey-seeks-black-sea-shipping-deal-as-attacks-threaten-grain-trade/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Turkey is making urgent efforts to secure safe passage for cargo ships in the Black Sea as attacks on shipping disrupt grain exports and drive up prices. Russia and Ukraine are major global wheat exporters, but their ships have faced significant disruptions in the Black Sea due to escalating attacks from both sides. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced his country's plan to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping in the Black Sea and expressed his contacts with both Ukraine and Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also mentioned the issue during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan. The current situation has escalated as Ukraine and Russia intensify their attacks on shipping and ports near the Black Sea. In 2022, Turkey and the United Nations facilitated a deal between Ukraine and Russia to guarantee safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea. While Turkey has maintained positive relations with both parties, reaching another agreement will be challenging, according to Huseyin Bagci, a professor at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University. Bagci emphasized that merely having good relations is insufficient as the Ukrainian and Russian sides must engage in discussions to reach a unified solution. This issue is compounded by the ongoing attacks; in August, Ukraine offered a ceasefire on commercial shipping, but Moscow rejected the proposal, insisting on a comprehensive agreement. Ukrainian drones have continued targeting Russian ships, while Russia has carried out missile strikes on Ukrainian ports and vessels. Grain prices have surged by up to 30 percent, despite both nations' attempts to find alternative routes for their exports. As grain export rates slow down, market prices are likely to remain high or potentially increase further. Many ship owners in Istanbul's shipyards are concerned as their vessels remain idle due to the risks posed by Black Sea attacks. High repair costs and the uncertainty surrounding future operations have left some ship owners facing potential bankruptcy. Turkish shipping company VI-ZA STAR CEO Ziya Ustel highlighted the high freight rates offered for Black Sea routes but stressed the risks are too great for many ship owners to accept. Without a diplomatic resolution, few will be willing to risk their vessels, according to Ustel. The Turkish government is anticipated to intensify its diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, and if unsuccessful, higher grain prices may have severe consequences, particularly for developing nations that rely heavily on Russian and Ukrainian grain imports.",
  "summary": "Turkey is racing to restore safe passage for cargo ships in the Black Sea as attacks on shipping disrupt grain exports and push up prices. Russia and Ukraine are major global wheat exporters, but Black Sea trade has been severely disrupted as both sides step up attacks on shipping and port infrastructure. Turkish Foreign Minister ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}