A settlement that was mediated internationally saw the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain leave the port of Odesa on Monday. This transaction is likely to unleash significant stocks of Ukrainian harvests to foreign markets and ease the rising worldwide hunger problem.
According to the Turkish military ministry, the cargo ship Razoni with Sierra Leonean flag departed from Odessa towards Lebanon. According to a statement from the UN, the Razoni was transporting more than 26,000 tons of maize.
Data from the Razoni’s Automatic Identification System, a ship safety tracker, showed the ship gently leaving its berth at the Odesa port alongside a tug boat on Monday morning.
The ship is anticipated to arrive in Istanbul on Tuesday, when it will be examined before being given permission to continue, according to the Turkish government.
The maize will go to Lebanon, a small country in the Middle East that is experiencing one of the greatest financial crises in more than 150 years, according to the World Bank. In 2020, an explosion at Beirut’s main port completely devastated grain silos in the country’s capital city.
“The first grain ship since #RussianAggression has left port. Thanks to the support of all our partner countries & @UN we were able to full implement the Agreement signed in Istanbul,” the Reuters news agency quoted Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Alexander Kubrakov as tweeting.
“Today Ukraine, together with partners, is taking another step towards preventing world hunger,” Kubrakov said adding it would also help Ukraine.
“Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year,” he said.
Agence France-Presse quotes Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as calling the development a “relief for the world.”
“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,” Kuleba tweeted.
Other ships will also leave Ukraine’s ports via the safe passageways, according to agreements made on July 22 in Istanbul, according to a statement from the Turkish government, although it didn’t offer any other information.
In order to allow Ukraine, one of the world’s major producers of bread, to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been delayed in Black Sea ports as a result of Russia’s invasion, Russia and Ukraine struck separate deals with Turkey and the U.N.
The agreements also let Russia to export fertilizer and grain.