The latest figures confirm a boom in Russia’s seaborne trade, despite a host of Western sanctions designed to make life difficult for its exporters.

According to the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport (Rosmorrechflot) in Moscow, the cargo turnover of Russian seaports rose at an annual pace of 9.3% between January and July to 526.8m tonnes.

The main driver of that increase has been the Black Sea, including Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia after Moscow forces invaded the country in February last year.