Ukrainian authorities have announced the successful departure of a vessel carrying wheat from a Ukrainian port, headed to Egypt. This marks the second instance this week of a ship navigating the maritime route established by Kiev to bypass Russian blockades and threats.
Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure, revealed on the platform X that the vessel, Arwiyat, left the port of Chornomorsk, transporting 17,600 tons of Ukrainian wheat, setting its course for Egypt. Notably, another wheat-laden ship had previously departed from this port on September 19.
Post Russia’s withdrawal in mid-July from a grain export agreement signed with Kiev during the summer of 2022, under the auspices of the United Nations and Turkey, Ukraine is in the pursuit of establishing secure maritime corridors. This agreement had been integral in facilitating the export of Ukrainian grain, pivotal for global food security.
These marine corridors, skirting along the coastlines of Ukraine’s allied nations, all the way to the Bosporus, stand defiant against Russian threats to target ships entering or leaving Ukrainian ports.
Kiev’s strategies also involve establishing supply routes to Africa, which heavily relies on Ukrainian agricultural products. These efforts counteract Russia’s influence on the continent, where Russian President Vladimir Putin promised certain African countries free wheat supplies earlier this summer.
Both Russia and Ukraine play crucial roles in global food security. The Russian attack on Ukraine coupled with international sanctions on Moscow has resulted in significant supply chain disturbances.
For weeks, the Ukrainian armed forces have been confronting Russian military dominance in the Black Sea. This is particularly evident in their aggressive approaches towards the Crimea peninsula, the base of the Russian fleet which Moscow annexed in 2014. There has been an upsurge in aerial and naval attacks using drones and missile strikes, especially on Sevastopol, the hub of the Russian fleet. A shipyard in the region was attacked last week, with Kiev claiming responsibility for destroying military vessels.
On Friday, Russian authorities announced the suspension of all maritime passenger transport operations from Sevastopol until further notice, without providing any clarity.
