KYIV: Two cargo ships successfully reached Ukraine on Saturday, employing a newly established route after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, previously brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
The cargo ships, known as the Aroyat and Resilient Africa, both flying the flag of Palau, arrived at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the southern Odesa region. They are the first civilian cargo vessels to dock at one of the Odesa ports since Russia exited the grain deal.
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority confirmed the arrival of these vessels through an online statement. They are set to deliver approximately 20,000 tons of wheat to various countries in Africa and Asia, according to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister.
For several months, Ukraine, whose economy relies heavily on agriculture, could safely export its grain from Black Sea ports, thanks to a deal facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey to ensure secure shipments. However, Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement on July 17 altered this landscape. Kremlin officials stated that their demands, particularly concerning the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer shipments, had not been met.
In response to Russia’s withdrawal, the Russian Defence Ministry issued a warning that it would consider any vessels bound for Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea as potential military targets.
Ukraine Establishes Interim Corridor to Facilitate Cargo Ships
Since then, Kyiv has been diligently working on rerouting transportation through the Danube River, road networks, and rail connections leading into Europe. However, the costs associated with this alternative route are significantly higher. Additionally, some European nations have expressed concerns over the resulting local grain prices. Furthermore, the Danube ports lack the capacity to handle the same volume as seaports.
To address these challenges, Ukraine established an interim corridor within the Black Sea, which it has requested the International Maritime Organization to ratify. This corridor was initiated on August 10, as both United States and Ukrainian officials cautioned against potential Russian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. The presence of sea mines in the area has also added to the risks, likely resulting in high insurance costs for ship operators.
Ukrainian authorities have stated that the primary purpose of this corridor is to evacuate ships that have been stranded in Ukrainian ports such as Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi since the outbreak of the conflict. Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov revealed that five vessels have already utilized this corridor to depart from Ukrainian ports.
