The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority reported that two cargo ships arrived in Ukraine today, Saturday, becoming the first vessels to utilize a temporary corridor for sailing to Black Sea ports to load grain for African and Asian markets. Last month, Ukraine announced a "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea to allow ships that have been stuck in its ports since the war began in February 2022 to navigate and avoid the effective blockade imposed after Russia withdrew from an agreement that allowed Kyiv to export grain.
So far, five ships have left Odesa port via the corridor next to the western Black Sea coast near Romania and Bulgaria. Ukraine also wants to use this corridor to export its food products, being one of the main countries exporting food products and producing them.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov mentioned today that "the two cargo ships are heading to Ukrainian ports, one of which will use a temporary corridor on its way to Black Sea ports to load grain for the African and Asian markets." In a statement to Reuters, Kubrakov said that the vessels "Resilient Africa" and "Arowait" are already en route to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, to load about 20,000 tons of wheat for Africa and Asia. Shipping data showed that the vessels are sailing through sea routes north of the Black Sea.
A United Nations official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stated, "The UN is not involved in the movement of these ships, but we welcome all efforts to resume normal trade, especially vital food commodities that help supply and stabilize global food markets." The official added, "We continue our efforts to facilitate agricultural exports from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation."
The loading operations represent a test of Ukraine's ability to reopen maritime corridors at a time when Russia is attempting to re-impose its effective blockade after withdrawing from the grain agreement in July.
