Flotilla loaded with grain moves in Black Sea despite Russian withdrawal from deal – Maps

Traffic resumed today, Monday in the black sea, along the maritime humanitarian corridor that allows the export of Ukrainian grain, despite the temporary withdrawal of Russia from the international agreement.

At least six ships loaded with grain, including the Ikaria Angel, chartered by the World Food Program and bound for Djibouti carrying 30,000 tons of wheat, they passed through the maritime humanitarian corridor heading for the Bosphorus and Turkey, according to the Marine Traffic website.

The Joint Coordination Center (JCC), which oversees the agreement on Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, announced that a total of twelve ships are expected to depart from Ukrainian ports today.

The United Nations Coordinator for the Grains Initiative Amir Abdullah he said this morning on Twitter: “No civilian ship can ever be a military target or held hostage. Food must go through.”

Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow. #BlackSeaGrainInitiative pic.twitter.com/sqnIVMmyny

— Amir M. Abdulla (@AmirMAAbdulla) October 31, 2022

Shortly after, Ukraine confirmed the departure of 12 ships. The 354,500 tons of grain they carried is much more than is usually carried in one day.

For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the guarantors of the agreement, said he would continue to defend it.

“Although Russia appears hesitant because it did not reap the same benefits [με την Ουκρανία]we are determined to continue our efforts in the service of humanity,” said the Turkish president, who has managed to maintain good relations with Kyiv and Moscow since the start of the conflict on February 24.

Another four ships are also expected to head to Ukraine, one of which, under the Turkish flag, already sailed this morning from Istanbul.

Russia said it was “suspending” a deal on Ukrainian exports after explosions damaged Russian Navy ships in a Crimean port on Saturday.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind the attack, but says Russia’s navy is a legitimate military target. Moscow said the explosions were caused by ships and aerial drones.

yesterday, sunday, Russia withdrew “until further notice” from ship inspections, which have been made mandatory by the international agreement in order to ensure the safe transport of Ukrainian agricultural exports.

However, Turkey and the United Nations, two of the four partners of the international agreement, are determined to bypass these issues and continue the mobilization of the ships.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, the JCC, which includes representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN, announced that the Turkish and UN delegations would provide additional resources to the inspections and that “ten teams” were expected to inspect 40 ships bound for Ukraine today.
The JCC clarified that it “secured Ukraine’s agreement. The Russian delegation has been informed”, it noted, underlining that the latter “expects to continue the dialogue with Turkey and the UN”.

“The delegation of the Russian Federation also stated that it is ready to cooperate remotely on the points that require an immediate decision,” the JCC added.
After a break on Saturday, eleven ships were inspected on Sunday.

The Turkish Defense Ministry on Sunday continued meetings with the other parties to the agreement and, on this occasion, “reminded the parties of the importance of continuing this initiative (…) and avoiding any provocation that will have negative results.”

The agreement on Ukrainian grain exports entered into force on August 1 expires November 19.

It allowed more than 9.3 million tons of grain and other products to be exported from Ukraine. According to the JCC, 40% of the cargo was destined for developing countries.

A separate agreement signed with Russia, and without Ukraine, was also expected to facilitate exports of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products, but was never implemented.
The sluggishness of operations in the Bosphorus has been particularly criticized by Ukraine, which has accused Russia of delaying inspections.

Up to 170 ships, originating from or bound for Ukrainian ports, waited last week sometimes for almost a dozen days, off Istanbul for inspection so they could continue their journey.

RES-EMP

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