Kondratyev succeeded in stopping the Sochi-Trabzon ferry.

Following an appeal from the Governor of the Krasnodar Territory, Rosmorrechflot closed the Lider Line ferry service, carrying the Seabridge ferry, which was scheduled to operate between Trabzon, Turkey, and Sochi. The governor attributed the inability to receive the ferry at the Sochi port to insufficient infrastructure.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on November 11, Krasnodar Territory Governor Veniamin Kondratyev, commenting on the denial of the Seabridge ferry from Trabzon to the port of Sochi, stated that the infrastructure was not ready to handle cargo-passenger vessels.

Rosmorrechflot has closed the Lider Line ferry service, which includes the Seabridge ferry, the Krasnodar Krai task force reported today, citing the Russian Ministry of Transport. The Seabridge ferry was supposed to operate as part of the Lider Line's Trabzon-Sochi service.

Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev previously sent an appeal to the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot). It stated, in particular, that Sochi's port and city infrastructure are insufficiently prepared to handle cargo and passenger vessels. The sea border crossing point lacks the necessary equipment—there are insufficient mobile inspection and screening systems, which significantly increases the vulnerability of the border control system and could create risks of transporting hazardous and prohibited materials. Furthermore, the seaport is located in the city's historic center, where many tourists stroll—additional traffic there would significantly damage the resort, the department reported.

Ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon operated from 1993 to 2011 and was interrupted during the port's reconstruction for the 2014 Olympics. Attempts to resume flights have been made since 2023, but the dates were constantly postponed due to political and sanitary restrictions, Sergey Turkmenyan, CEO of SVS Shipping, which organizes and services this route, told the Caucasian Knot earlier.

"Formally, the governor has no connection to the international checkpoint at the Sochi seaport and cannot influence its operation," Turkmenyan noted, commenting on Kondratyev's statements.

He added that the security claim appears odd given the regular international cruise and air traffic. "Up to 12 flights depart daily from Sochi Airport to Turkey and 18 other countries. The cruise ship Astoria Grande carries over 1,100 passengers weekly, calling at ports in Turkey, Greece, and Israel. And this doesn't bother anyone. So why is a ferry carrying four hundred passengers suddenly considered 'dangerous'?" - Turkmenyan asked.