Two cargo ships, Resilient Africa and Aroyat, have successfully arrived at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk, following a new route through the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian port authorities. This development marks the first time civilian ships have reached a Ukrainian port since the collapse of a deal with Russia that guaranteed the safety of vessels traveling in the region. The ships are set to load 20,000 tonnes of wheat intended for global markets, particularly Egypt and Israel, BBC reported.
The cargo ships, Resilient Africa and Aroyat, sailed under the flag of the Oceanic island nation of Palau and had a diverse crew comprising individuals from Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Egypt. The vessels are scheduled to transport the wheat cargo to Egypt and Israel, as stated by Ukraine's agricultural ministry.
Background on maritime corridor
Ukraine unilaterally declared a maritime corridor along the western coast of the Black Sea after Russia abandoned a UN-backed deal that previously facilitated grain exports from Ukrainian ports. The collapse of this agreement led to tensions between the two nations. Russia contended that certain parts of the deal were not being upheld and cited Western sanctions as restricting its agricultural exports.
Russian threats and actions
Since the breakdown of the deal, Russia has issued threats to treat civilian ships traveling to Ukraine as potential military targets. Earlier in the week, the UK accused Russia of targeting one such vessel with multiple cruise missiles while it was docked in the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Russia's actions in disrupting maritime traffic have escalated tensions in the region.
Impact on Ukraine's agriculture
Ukraine is a significant global supplier of agricultural products, including sunflower oil, barley, maize, and wheat. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, its navy blockaded the country's Black Sea ports, effectively trapping 20mn tonnes of grain intended for export. This blockade led to a surge in world food prices and posed a threat of food shortages in Middle Eastern and African countries that heavily rely on Ukraine's food exports.
Apart from targeting ships, Russia has also directed attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, specifically the ports of Izmail and Reni. These ports have played a crucial role in Ukraine's grain exports, and the attacks aim to disrupt their operations. Kyiv has accused Russia of attempting to damage its grain exports and undermine global food security through these actions.
The arrival of cargo ships at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk via a new Black Sea route marks a significant development in the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The collapse of the maritime deal and Russia's aggressive actions have created challenges for Ukraine's vital agricultural exports, impacting global food markets and the supply of essential commodities to regions in need of humanitarian aid. The situation remains fluid and continues to be a source of concern for international observers.
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