The Turkish-flagged tanker Azov Concord remains unable to exit the water area surrounding the port of Mariupol due to ongoing issues with settling charges for port services, according to a source aligned with the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) cited by TASS.
The DPR spokesperson noted that the vessel’s movement has been postponed from June 18 to June 20, explaining that payments for port services from the shipowner to the DPR have not gone through as expected. This financial snag has effectively kept the ship idle in the port’s vicinity, with no cargo on board and no immediate plan to depart for its home port, a move that underscores the fragile operational conditions still surrounding the port area.
Former DPR president Denis Pushilin, during a recent briefing, asserted that the port of Mariupol has been cleared of mines and is now a safer environment for commercial activity. He stated that approximately 12,000 explosive devices were defused in the process, and that the final mine was removed in front of journalists during a tour organized by the defense ministry. Pushilin also indicated that the port is being prepared to resume its role in international trade, including both exports and imports.
According to Pushilin, future export commodities will continue to include metal, coal, and grain, aligning with the port’s traditional export profile. He stressed that the port’s mining clearance and the ongoing stabilization of security conditions aim to restore normal operations, facilitating shipments and logistics for regional markets. The broader context suggests a concerted effort to reestablish Mariupol as a functional node in supply chains despite the disruptions and political tensions that have affected the port’s activity in recent years.
Observers note that the situation around the Azov Concord reflects broader challenges facing port operations in the region, where financial transactions, security assurances, and international monitoring all influence vessel movements. The current pause in the ship’s activities highlights how even a single vessel can be affected by layered processes, including payments for port services and the verification of port clearance, before cargo handling and onward navigation can resume. As authorities emphasize mine clearance success and the readiness of export-oriented infrastructure, the maritime community watches closely for signs of renewed throughput and reliability in Mariupol’s port operations.