Arkas Line has restored its Russia Express Service (REX), redirecting the route from Novorossiysk on the Black Sea to St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea. The move restores the carrier’s Russian port coverage while avoiding the Black Sea route.
The service was previously suspended following the sinking of the FESCO-operated container vessel FESCO Yanina near Novorossiysk in August. Under the revised arrangement, Arkas has removed Novorossiysk from the service rotation and designated St. Petersburg as its Russian gateway.
The updated port rotation is Alexandria – Mersin – St. Petersburg – Alexandria, connecting Russia with Türkiye and Egypt. The service operates with two container vessels, each averaging approximately 1,200 TEUs of capacity, with sailings scheduled every two to three weeks.
The change reflects Arkas Line’s efforts to maintain trade links with Russia amid heightened security concerns affecting commercial shipping in the Black Sea. By shifting the Russian port call to St. Petersburg, the carrier can continue offering a direct maritime connection to the Russian market while adjusting its network to changing operational risks.
The revised service provides shippers with an alternative route for moving containerised cargo between the eastern Mediterranean and Russia. However, the change in port gateway may affect transit times, inland transportation requirements and overall logistics costs, depending on the cargo’s final destination.
Arkas Line’s move highlights how shipping companies are adapting port rotations and service networks to maintain connectivity while responding to regional security challenges.