Three Ships with Agricultural Products and Iron Ore for Europe and Africa Leave Ukrainian Ports

Azara, Ying Hao 01 and Eneida (flying the flags of Liberia and Palau) left the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, exporting more than 127,000 tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products and iron ore. The vessels are sailing along routes created by Ukraine.

This was reported by the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

At the same time, five new ships are waiting for loading in Ukrainian ports of Great Odesa. These ships are bulk carriers named Olga, Ida, Danny Boy, Forza Doria, and New Legacy.

It is expected that these ships will be able to export nearly 120,000 tons of Ukrainian agricultural products destined for African and European countries.

It's worth noting that in July, the Russian Federation unilaterally withdrew from the so-called grain agreement, which, initiated in part by the United Nations, allowed for limited exports of Ukrainian agricultural products after Russia blocked Ukraine's maritime routes. Upon leaving the agreement, Russia intensified its regular attacks on Ukraine's port infrastructure, destroying equipment, facilities, and grain that supplied African and Asian countries.

In early August, Ukraine announced the creation of new temporary routes through which civilian ships could enter and leave Ukrainian ports. Previously, these routes were used to evacuate civilian ships that were stranded in Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenny due to Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Subsequently, on September 16, it was announced that the first civilian ships successfully used the temporary corridor in the Black Sea to enter ports. Two ships, Resilient Africa and Aroyat, were able to enter Ukrainian ports and load about 20,000 tons of wheat destined for export to African and Asian countries.

Resilient Africa successfully reached the Bosporus Turkish Strait, becoming the first ship to enter and exit Ukrainian ports without hindrance, despite the "blockade" imposed by the Russian Federation.

Due to Russia's regular attacks, Ukraine has to explore alternative ways to market its agricultural products. For example, it recently became known that Ukraine has been exporting its grains through the Croatian port of Rijeka for over a year, allowing it to export approximately 100,000 tons of Ukrainian corn and wheat.