Ukrainian and Turkish officials report that a ship carrying grain left the Ukrainian port of Odessa for Lebanon on Monday, 1 August, under a safe passage agreement, Reuters reports.
This is the first departure since the Russian invasion blocked shipping through the Black Sea five months ago. Ukraine’s foreign minister named this day it a relief for the world, especially for countries threatened by food shortages and hunger because of the interrupted shipments.
It was possible after Turkey and the United Nations negotiated a grain-and-fertiliser export agreement between Russia and Ukraine last month.The deal aims to allow safe passage for grain shipments in and out of Odesa, Chornomorsk and the port of Pivdennyi.
Ukrainian presidential officials have said 17 ships are docked in Black Sea ports with almost 600,000 tonnes of cargo, mostly grain.
According to Reuters Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that more ships would follow. Unlocking the ports would provide at least USD 1 billion in revenue for Ukraine’s economy and allow the agricultural sector to plan next year’s sowing season.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a worldwide food and energy crisis and the United Nations has warned of the risk of multiple famines this year.
Russia and Ukraine are responsible for nearly a third of global wheat exports. But Western sanctions on Russia and fighting along Ukraine’s eastern seaboard have delayed grain ships to leave ports.
Moscow has denied responsibility for the food crisis and has blamed Western sanctions for slowing exports and Ukraine for mining the approaches to its ports.
First Ukraine grain ship leaves Odesa port since start of war
