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The monitoring of the situation in the Azov Sea - February 2020

Andrii KLYMENKO, Tetyana GUCHAKOVA
The Monitoring group of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies and BlackSeaNews

The Monitoring group of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies, the Maidan of Foreign Affairs and BlackSeaNews are glad to share with you the latest in a series of our monthly studies on Russia's economic war against Ukraine at the Sea of Azov.

1. In February 2020, the average duration of artificial delays of vessels en route from the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov (Mariupol and Berdiansk) by the RF was 31.4 hours (the yearly average for 2019 was 29.9 hours) – see chart 1. 

2. In February 2020, vessels carrying exports from Mariupol and Berdiansk were delayed at the exit from the Sea of Azov by the RF for an average of 42.6 hours (the yearly average for 2019 was 37.4 hours) – see chart 2. 

Moreover, in February 2020, the abnormally long duration of the artificial delays of the 8 vessels listed in the table was recorded at the exit from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. It is several times longer than even the high monthly average, which in February was 42.6 hours. Note that stormy weather, which would last from 4 to 10 days in a row, was not observed during this period.

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This publication has been produced with the support of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of EED. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in this publication lies entirely with the authors.