A Kyiv official stated on Saturday (September 16) that following the failure of the grain agreement with Russia intended to ensure the safety of ships exporting via the Black Sea, the first group of cargo ships travelled to the war-torn Ukraine to load grain for African and Asian markets.
“The first civilian ships used the temporary corridor to enter Ukrainian ports,” mentioned Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov on Facebook.
According to him, the two ships Aroyat and Resilient Africa are en route to carry about 20,000 tonnes of wheat for countries in Asia and Africa. “The vessels are under the flag of Palau,” he added.
“While the UN is not involved in the movement of those vessels, we welcome all efforts for the resumption of normal trade, especially of vital food commodities that help supply and stabilize global food markets,” mentioned a UN official during interaction with the Reuters.
“We continue our efforts to facilitate exports for agricultural products from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” he further added.
One year after it was negotiated by Turkey and the UN to ensure safe passage for grain shipments leaving Ukrainian ports, Russia terminated the grain agreement in July, citing difficulties in exporting its own food and fertiliser and a lack of Ukrainian grain reaching developing nations.
According to the United States, the Black Sea grain agreement was reached with the goal of halting the worldwide food crisis, which had gotten worse after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of grains.
A test of Ukraine’s capacity to reopen maritime routes at a time when attempts are being made by other countries to do so is the loading and transportation of grains.
