LONDON: At a logistics expo in London this week, Russia's invasion of Ukraine dominated discussions, rather than interest in the latest package-tracking devices or how to kick-start the sector after the coronavirus pandemic.

A week of fighting has forced many companies to suspend operations out of Ukraine as well as Russia, as world governments began imposing tough financial sanctions, reports AFP.

Dan Smith-Cox, a business development director at Zencargo, told AFP: "We've seen a few manufacturers pull into eastern Europe from Ukraine and Russia as opposed to China."

"A lot of production is moving to Turkey," he said at the Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo at London's giant ExCeL conference venue.

Another attendee, who declined to give their name but works in the metal cutting sector, said they bought raw materials from Poland, Russia, Germany and Ukraine.

Many of their suppliers were directly impacted, he said, fearing even tougher times ahead. "The invasion is going to be much more difficult than the lockdowns," he added.

Ratings agency Moody's called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "the greatest risk" facing supply chains since the pandemic -- and the conflict is already having an effect.

Not only do companies have to find new routes in haste, but shipping prices immediately increase due to longer journeys, causing more pain at a time of sky-high inflation.

Stopping transport to Russian ports is affecting air and rail shipments crossing the country, "making rates more expensive because of oil prices going up as a result of the war", said a spokesperson for Freightos, an online international shipping marketplace.

Oil prices have rocketed since the invasion as Brent North Sea crude rose to $120 per barrel and gas prices have also hit record highs.

Supply chain fears have gripped markets while industrial metals have also surged, with aluminium hitting a new all time-high on Friday.

Freightos also pointed to increased insurance premiums for carriers potentially crossing the conflict zone.