First merchant vessels navigating temporary corridor to Ukrainian port
A ship is transporting Ukrainian grain, Black Sea, November 2, 2022 (Photo:REUTERS/Umit Bektas)
The first merchant vessels to use a temporary corridor in the Black Sea to sail to the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk are now en route there, Ukraine’s Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said on his Facebook page on Sept. 16.
After other vessels used the temporary corridor to exit the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi, which had been under a Russian naval blockade, the bulk carriers Resilient Africa and Aroyat confirmed their readiness to follow the designated route to Chornomorsk.
Kubrakov noted that in Chornomorsk, the vessels are to load nearly 20,000 tons of wheat destined for African and Asian countries. They are sailing under the flag of Palau, with crews consisting of citizens from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Ukraine.
He added that the corridor had previously been used for the evacuation of vessels that were present in Ukrainian ports Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine occurred.
Furthermore, the minister added that since Aug. 15, five vessels have used the temporary corridor, including the container ship Joseph Schulte and the bulk carriers Primus, Anna-Theresa, Ocean Courtesy, and Puma.
Grain Deal Disruption — Details
Additionally, Russia declared the withdrawal of security guarantees for shipping within the framework of the Black Sea grain initiative. Ukraine proposed to Turkey and the United Nations to continue the operation of the “grain corridor” without Russia’s involvement. In response, the Kremlin issued threats regarding the possibility of resuming the agreement without Russia.
Subsequently, Russia has intermittently attacked the south of Ukraine, including Odesa Oblast, targeting ports and destroying stocks of Ukrainian grain.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is willing to “consider the possibility” of returning to the “grain deal” if all its conditions are met. Turkey publicly mentioned that, together with the United Nations, they propose linking the subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT and unfreezing the assets of Russian companies in order to revive the grain initiative.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
