THE BLACK Sea maritime corridor saw a record volume of agricultural products exported on Monday (31 October) despite Russia pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Russia suspended its participation in the initiative on Saturday (29 October) following a drone attack in the Black Sea.
Russia accused Ukraine of using air and maritime drones to target ships in Crimea.
Reuters said in an article that Russia withdrew from the deal due to concerns for the safety of shipping, but other parties pressed ahead with the deal.
A spokesperson for Odesa’s miliary administration said 354,500 tonnes of agricultural exports was shipped out of Ukrainian ports on Monday, according to the article.
The shipments amounted to the largest volume moved through the corridor in a single day since the grain deal was brokered in July.
Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations entered the multilateral agreement in July to set up the Joint Coordination Centre.
The JCC established the Black Sea maritime corridor to export grain from Ukrainian ports and stabilise global food markets.
The UN secretariat at the JCC said in a statement there was no movement of vessels in the corridor on Sunday, the day after Russia’s announcement.
However, they said Ukrainian, Turkish and United Nations delegations had agreed on a movement plan for the movement of 16 vessels – 12 inbound and four outbound – on 31 October.
“The UN delegation, in its capacity as JCC secretariat, has informed the delegation of the Russian Federation on the movements in accordance with the JCC established procedures,” the secretariat said.
“As per JCC procedures, all participants co-ordinate with their respective military and other relevant authorities to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.”
A spokesperson for UN secretary-general António Guterres said Mr Guterres is engaging in contacts aiming at the end of the Russian suspension of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
“The same engagement also aims at the renewal and full implementation of the initiative to facilitate exports of food and fertilizer from Ukraine, as well as removing the remaining obstacles to the exports of Russian food and fertilizer,” the spokesperson said.
Last week, before the drone strike, the International Chamber of Shipping said volumes of grain exported through the maritime corridor had exceeded the JCC’s expectations.
However, the ICS raised concerns that vessels were experiencing inspection delays and hundreds of seafarers were still trapped.
