The first ship carrying grain has left a Ukrainian port under a landmark deal with Russia.
Turkish and Ukrainian officials announced that the ship left the southern port of Odesa early on Monday morning local time.
Before this, Russia had been blockading Ukrainian ports since February, but the two sides agreed on a deal to resume shipments. It is hoped that this deal will ease the global food crisis and further decrease the price of grain.
In a statement issued ahead of the ship’s departure, Turkey stated the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel will dock in Lebanon, further adding that additional shipments are planned over the coming weeks.
The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul set up under the deal commented that the ship is currently carrying about 26,000 tonnes of corn and is expected to arrive in Turkish waters for inspection on 2 August 2022.
“Today Ukraine, together with partners, takes another step to prevent world hunger,” Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister, Alexander Kubrakov, wrote on the social media app, Facebook.
“Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year”. He added.
