Four ships containing a total of 145,000 tons (about 160,000 US tons) of Ukrainian wheat have left for Asia under the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure reported on Saturday.
According to the ministry, 23 vessels are currently in process, carrying 734,000 tons (approximately 809,000 US tons) of Ukrainian agricultural products.
The ministry said a bulk carrier carrying 71,000 tons (about 78,000 US tons) of wheat was among the four vessels bound for Indonesia.
“Three ships are moving along the grain corridor with 166,000 tons (about 183,000 US tons) of agricultural products,” he said.
The statement also added that “92 ships are awaiting inspection by the JCC (Joint Coordinating Center) in the Bosphorus,” but the queue was delayed due to “Russia’s artificial restrictions on registering for inspection.” He claimed it was on the rise.
“For example, out of 65 vessels declared by the aggressors, only three were registered that day,” the ministry said. “This situation will limit the work of Ukrainian ports and slow down exports of at least 3 million tons of her product per month.”
Nevertheless, the ministry said millions of tons of Ukrainian agricultural products have left Odessa’s main port since August.
“558 ships have left the ports of the Odesa metropolitan area and have exported 14 million tons of Ukrainian food products to countries in Asia, Europe and Africa since the beginning of August,” the statement concludes.
background: According to the United Nations, Ukraine normally supplies the world with about 45 million tons of grain annually. More than 20 million tonnes of Ukrainian wheat and corn remained trapped in Odessa this year as the Russian blockade fueled high grain commodity prices and fears of famine.
In late October, Russia said it would suspend its participation in a pact that would guarantee the safe passage of ships carrying vital grain exports from Ukraine, but reversed course and will rejoin in a few days.