Odesa, 1 August 2022 (TDI): The first shipment of Ukrainian grain left Odesa Port on Monday morning under the recent deal of relieving the food crisis. This shipment is a first since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A vessel carrying #Ukrainian grain left #Odesa port this morning, the first since the start of the full-scale #Russian invasion.
🎥 Ministry of Infrastructure of #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/wR1kNHuVcj
— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) August 1, 2022
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister took to his Twitter and expressed his joy over the departure of the first vessel.
He said ‘The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade.’
The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade. Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one should Russia respect its part of the deal.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 1, 2022
The ship is RAZONI with a flag of Sierra Leone. It left for the port of Tripoli, Lebanon and is likely to reach Turkish ports by 3 August.
According to the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), the ship was carrying 26 thousand tons of Ukrainian corn.
According to Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure, Alexander Kubrakov, the security of the route of the vessel has been assured by guarantor partners i.e., the UN and Turkiye.
The Minister took to his Facebook and also added that ‘16 more ships are waiting for their turn in the ports of Great Odessa.
These are the ships that have been blocked since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In parallel, we will receive applications for the arrival of new vessels to load agricultural products.’
Also Read: Ukraine Russia sign safe export deal
Ukrainian Grain Deal
On 22 July Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement for safe and free export of Ukrainian exports. Turkiye, Russia, Ukraine and United Nations signed the agreement on grain export in Istanbul.
Under the terms of the agreement, Russia has pledged not to target ports while goods are en route. Ukraine on the other hand has agreed to direct cargo ships through mined waterways.
Turkey, with United Nations backing, will monitor ships to alleviate Russian concerns about weapons smuggling.
Ukraine is the 4th-largest corn exporter in the world, so the possibility of exporting it via ports is a colossal success in ensuring global food security.
