Shipping to Russia as Black Sea Risk Rises: A Route Guide for Autumn 2026

Since the summer of 2026, drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea have had a direct impact on maritime transport between Türkiye and Russia. A number of ships were damaged, among them vessels owned by Turkish companies or sailing from Turkish ports, and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for freedom and safety of navigation in the region. Over the same period, congestion at border crossings and disruptions in fuel supply have been extending delivery times on the road side as well.

For exporters and importers this raises a single question: which route should I use to ship my cargo to Russia today? This article summarises the available options, their advantages and the points that need attention.

Sea Freight: Still Possible, But It Now Requires Planning

For many years the Ro-Ro and container services running from ports such as Ambarlı, Samsun and Karasu to Novorossiysk were the fastest and most economical way to reach Russia. These services have not stopped altogether; however, before choosing sea freight the following questions should be answered clearly:

War risk insurance: premiums for vessels calling at the region have risen. How does this cost affect the freight rate, and is your cargo covered by the policy?
Sailing schedule: is the carrier keeping to its schedule, or can sailings be postponed?
Waiting risk: time spent waiting at the port or at anchorage means extra cost and delay, especially for time-sensitive cargo.

For this reason we recommend considering sea freight for shipments that are not urgent and whose insurance coverage has been clarified.

Road: The Classic Route via Georgia

The main road transport route from Türkiye to Russia runs through the Sarp border gate into Georgia and then into Russia via the Upper Lars crossing. Because it never goes to sea, it is unaffected by the security risk in the Black Sea. That said:

Upper Lars is the only active road crossing between Georgia and Russia, so long queues can build up in busy periods.
In winter, weather conditions at the mountain pass can temporarily halt crossings.
Disruptions in fuel supply inside Russia can extend transit times.

Road Alternative: via Azerbaijan and Dagestan

One option against congestion at Upper Lars is to move the cargo from Georgia into Azerbaijan and enter Russia through the Samur – Yarag-Kazmalyar border gate in Dagestan. Although the route is longer, it can shorten the total delivery time in periods when the risk of queues is high. ASR Transit operates this route.

Rail: A Predictable Option That Never Goes to Sea

Cargo reaching Azerbaijan over the Baku – Tbilisi – Kars (BTK) line can be connected to Russia through the Azerbaijani railway network. Rail transport is a strong alternative for heavy and bulky cargo, regular shipments, and anyone looking for a predictable transit time that is little affected by weather. This connection is among ASR Transit's active services.

For details on how the BTK line works, see our article on the BTK Railway.

Air Freight: For Urgent and High-Value Cargo

For time-critical or high unit value goods such as spare parts, samples, pharmaceuticals and electronics, air freight removes most of the route-related risks. Although the cost is higher, it often becomes the most economical choice when weighed against risks such as a production line standing still or a delivery commitment being missed.

Which Route Suits You?

Urgent, light and high-value cargo: air freight
Heavy or bulky cargo, regular shipments: rail (BTK)
Groupage or full truckloads: road (via Georgia or Azerbaijan)
Non-urgent cargo with clarified insurance cover: sea freight (Ro-Ro / container)

The right route depends on the type and weight of the cargo, the delivery date and how much risk you can tolerate. Rather than relying on a single corridor, multimodal solutions that combine several modes of transport should also be considered.

Conditions Change — Your Cargo Keeps Moving

Developments in the region change quickly, and the route that was best a week ago may not be the best option today. At ASR Transit we follow the situation on the ground closely and offer you up-to-date, workable route alternatives so that your cargo moves safely whatever the circumstances. We assess road, rail, sea and air options together and prepare the most suitable plan for your shipment.

If you would like to find out which route is the right one for your planned shipment to Russia today, get in touch with us.