Grain blockade ended: Ship leaves Odessa
For the first time since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a ship with grain has left the port of Odessa.
The cargo ship “Razoni” loaded with corn left for Lebanon on Monday morning, the broadcaster CNN Türk reported, citing the Turkish Ministry of Defense. Other ships are to follow. The cargo ship “Razoni” sails under the flag of the West African country of Sierra Leone.
This should make millions of tons of grain available again for the world market. Before the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine was one of the most important grain exporters in the world. For them, it’s about billions in revenue from the sale of wheat and corn, among other things.
Shortly before, the Turkish ministry had announced that the grain would be delivered as part of the agreement concluded on July 22, and that further exports are to follow.
Barely a week and a half after an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, the first ship loaded with corn has left the port of Odessa.
The cargo ship Razoni, flying the flag of Sierra Leone, left the Ukrainian port at around 8:19 a.m. (CEST), the Turkish Defense Ministry said. The ship is due for an inspection in Istanbul on August 2 before continuing towards Lebanon.
The grain delivery will take place within the framework of the agreement concluded on July 22nd, further exports are to follow, it was said. Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the UN and Turkey, signed an agreement to allow grain exports from Ukraine from three ports.
According to Ukrainian sources, more than 20 million tons of grain from last year’s harvest are still waiting to be exported. Port operations were suspended for security reasons after the Russian invasion at the end of February.
The exports are monitored from a control center in Istanbul staffed by representatives from Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and Turkey. The Bosphorus Strait, which runs through Istanbul, is the only sea route from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey has sovereignty over the Bosphorus.
The agreement covers the Ukrainian ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny (Pivdennyj). Just a day after the agreement, Russia shelled the port of Odessa, raising concerns that the grain deal might collapse.
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