In the first 20 days of the operation of the so-called “grain corridor”, 27 ships left Ukrainian ports carrying a total of 670,000 tonnes of agricultural exports.
Eighteen bulk carriers have arrived at Ukrainian ports for loading. Another 40 applications to enter Ukrainian ports are currently under consideration.
“Ukraine is complying with its obligations to the world in the fight against global hunger. We are grateful to our allies for fulfilling security guarantees in the Black Sea,” the Ministry of Infrastructure said.
Meanwhile, Spain has launched a pilot project which will see Ukrainian grain transported by rail, as an alternative or in addition to the naval route.
Earlier, the bulk carrier I MARIA left the port of Chornomorsk for Egypt on Aug. 18 with 33,000 tons of corn on board. This is already the 25th vessel since the launch of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Ukraine signed an agreement on unblocking the export of Ukrainian grain with Turkey and the United Nations on July 22. Russia signed a similar agreement with the United Nations and Turkey.
The agreement concerns exports from the Ukrainian sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi. Control over the ports will remain with the Ukrainian side, and no ships, except those that will ensure the export of grain and related products, will be able to enter the ports.
Overall, Ukraine needs to export up to 20 million tons of last year’s harvest. According to the estimates of the Ministry of Infrastructure, three Odesa ports can process up to 3 million tons of agricultural products through the “grain corridor” every month.