Traffic on Ukraine's grain export corridor is steadily growing as multiple inbound and outbound vessels are now sailing through the region.
The second multi-ship convoy departed from Odessa and Chornomorsk carrying a combined total of nearly 170 000 tonnes of grain and edible oils on Sunday, Maritime Executive reported. The departing vessels included the Mustafa Necati, Star Helena, Glory and Riva Wind.
However, the first ship to leave Odessa, the Navoni, was delayed in transit, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to Lebanon Ihor Ostash. The vessel was originally bound for Tripoli, carrying a much-needed load of corn. However, shortly after Lebanese prosecutors released a Syrian ship carrying allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain, Navoni interrupted her voyage and waited at anchor off Mersin, Turkey on Sunday evening.
"The reception of the first ship loaded with corn from Odessa will be delayed. We are waiting for the completion of the negotiation process at the trade level," Ostash said. "Meanwhile, ships carrying unstolen Ukrainian grains are leaving Reni and Izmail ports [on the Danube], bound for Lebanon every week."
Navi Star, Polarnet and Rojen departed Odessa and Chornomorsk on Friday and travelled through the Bosporus without incident. The three ships anchored off Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara on Sunday, where the parties to the corridor agreement are carrying out inspections.
Ostash added that another 20 vessels carrying grain were waiting to leave Odessa. The first grain-carrying inbound vessel to pass through inspection, the Fulmar S, arrived in Chornomorsk recently.
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, said the country’s next step was to ensure that its ports had the capability to handle more than 100 vessels a month.