All the sanction that have been imposed on Russia logically have an adverse effect on local trade; Motril Port is a prime example.

No ships sailing under a Russian flag are permitted to use any EU port, including of course, Motril Port. This ban is on everything from leisure craft such as yachts, to merchant ships. They are only able to enter in case of an emergency (distress situation or health issues).

However, the EU sanctions allow authorities to make exceptions for ships carrying cargo of various types, including natural gas, oil, petroleum products, metals, pharmaceuticals, wheat, fertilizers, nuclear fuel for civil applications and, until August the 10th, coal and other solid fossil fuels.

Motril received 15 Russian ships last year amongst the 564 ships that used the port; i.e., 2.66% of the total. The majority of these ships docked to pick up the huge blades for the wind-powered generators that are made in Jaén or to bring in molasses for Ron Montero.

In the case of Ron Montero, they have switched to mollases from India. Each ship brings in at least 30,000 tonnes because their factory, situated in Lobres, gets throug 120,000 tonnes a year. This year, with the war going on, they expect a drop of between 15% and 20% in their output.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)