Chokepoints › Kerch Strait
Kerch Strait shipping traffic
Black Sea · Daily ship transits from IMF PortWatch, latest day Nov 8, 2026.
0 ships a day over the last 7 days. Not enough history yet to compare with the 90-day average.
Daily transits, last 30 days
Bright bars: tankers. Faded bars: all other ships.
Why the Kerch Strait matters
The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, between Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar region, under the Crimean Bridge. Russia controls passage. Grain, coal, metals and oil products from Azov ports such as Rostov leave through it, and it is inside the war zone of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sharp drops in traffic usually follow strikes, bridge incidents or new restrictions, and they matter for wheat and Russian oil product exports.
Markets to watch
- Wheat: Russian grain from Azov ports ships through the strait.
- Russian oil product exports: Diesel and fuel oil from Azov and Volga terminals use the route.
Related
Other chokepoints: Bosphorus (Turkish Straits), Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar.
Country risk: Russia, Ukraine, Turkey.
FAQ
How many ships pass through the Kerch Strait each day?
In the 7 days to Nov 8, 2026, an average of 0 ships a day passed through the Kerch Strait, including 0 tankers, against 0.1 a day over the previous 90 days. Counts come from IMF PortWatch satellite AIS data.
Who controls the Kerch Strait?
Russia controls passage, having held both shores since annexing Crimea in 2014. Ships pass under the Crimean Bridge to reach the Sea of Azov.
Why does Kerch Strait traffic change suddenly?
The strait lies inside the war zone, so strikes, incidents at the Crimean Bridge and Russian restrictions can halt or slow traffic with little notice.