Possible mine interrupts Ukraine’s Black Sea exports

The possible presence of mine in Ukraine’s food export corridor led to the interruption of grain shipments from the Ukrainian ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny on October 26. Authorities are still investigating the case.

As of the 27h, the two search parties deployed to investigate the area found no mine, according to the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), made up of UN officials and representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. It is worth noting that the UN and Turkey brokered the deal signed between the two warring states in July. The centre was created to oversee the progress of operations.

Authorities received a report of the presence of an explosive object at the northern end of the grain corridor, the narrow strip of the sea through which ships enter and leave Ukrainian Black Sea ports. With the corridor’s establishment, Ukrainians could resume food exports, which had stalled since the start of the war with Russia in February.

The JCC said it will discuss “new vessel actions and authorizations” without further details. However, they also said that ships will resume sailing through the Black Sea corridor as of the following day with the escort of tugboats as a sign of precaution.

Ukraine has shipped millions of tonnes of grain since the onset of the deal. In recent weeks, Russia has expressed discontent with Ukraine’s decision to ship mainly to European countries rather than poorer nations in Africa – which Ukrainians deny – raising concern among authorities, executives, and market players with a possible cancellation of the agreement. Nevertheless, the UN and Ukraine hope to extend the pact, which will run until November 19.

Source: Valor Econômico

To read the full original article, please go to: https://valor.globo.com/agronegocios/noticia/2022/10/26/suspeita-de-mina-interrompe-exportacoes-da-ucrania-pelo-mar-negro.ghtml

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