Black Sea: grain traffic in Ukrainian ports resumes -almost- cruising speed

Port of Odessa, southern Ukraine, August 7, 2022: This bulk carrier flying the flag of the Marshall Islands leaves the port with 66,000 tons of Ukrainian corn in its holds.

AP - Nina Lyashonok

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

Ships loaded with grain were able to leave Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea on Sunday morning.

The latest shipments are heading to China and various countries in Europe.

Traffic is gradually resuming under the agreements concluded on July 22 between Russia and Ukraine under the auspices of the UN and Turkey. 

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Cereal exports from Ukraine seem to be taking a steady pace with the new departure of four cargo ships this Sunday after that of three others on Friday.

The ships left the Ukrainian ports of Chernomorsk and Odessa with a total cargo of more than 161,000 tons of corn and food products.

Their destination is China, Italy and Turkey.

Turkey where they will be inspected off Istanbul before crossing the Bosphorus strait as

 under the aegis of Turkey and the United Nations, allowing the export of Ukrainian cereals and of Russian agricultural products despite Western sanctions.

Of the three cargo ships that set sail on Friday, one is currently on its way to Ireland after its inspection last night, the other two are still waiting for a green light to continue their journey.

Freighters leaving and others coming to load 

In the other direction, the freighter

will take the empty road to load in Chernomorsk, a satellite port of Odessa, after its inspection on Sunday as well.

And on Saturday, 

, flying the Barbadian flag, arrived in this same port.

It was the first foreign bulk carrier to dock in Ukraine since the start of the war on February 24.

The resumption of exports is a relief for world food and especially for livestock farmers.

The blockage of immense quantities of grain in Ukrainian ports and speculation have caused food prices to soar in the poorest countries and fueled

.

►

: Resumption of grain exports from Ukraine: "The major effect will be an impact on prices"

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that our ports can accommodate and handle more ships.

We plan to reach the stage of three to five boats a day within two weeks,” the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure told AFP.

“We aim to achieve a monthly transshipment volume of three million tons of agricultural products in the ports of the logistics hub of Odessa,” he added, hoping that other Ukrainian ports can soon be unblocked. , like those of Pivdennyi or Mikolaiv.

At the same time, "we continue to increase transhipments in the Danube ports, which have been saving Ukrainian exporters since February", explained the minister.

►

: Ukrainian ports begin preparations for grain exports

Change of destination for the

Razoni

But the recipients of cereals and food products are not definitively determined.

The first freighter to leave Ukraine last Monday, the

- which carries 26,000 tons of corn - was due to dock in Lebanon on Sunday but the Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut said the operation was delayed.

The ship is currently stationed north of the country's coast and according to information from RFI, it could be heading for Syria.

A fairly usual change of destination in the maritime transport of agricultural raw materials, explains Michel Portier, director of the Agritel cabinet, joined by  

 from the Economy department.

It is the law of supply and demand that also regulates the traffic, the ship can change destination “

”, underlines the expert.

we even have ships that disconnect their ferry so as not to be followed... it is usual on the oil market or that of agricultural raw materials for the ship to change destination en route.

At the last moment the shipper can take the most interesting destination for him, explains Michel Portier

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