Tag: Black Sea Grain Initiative

While the Black Sea Grain Initiative received an extension for 120 days, "Russia still has tools to artificially limit its capabilities," said the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Russia’s ambassador to Turkey said on Friday that Moscow sends its representatives to more ship inspections in Istanbul per day than mandated under the Black Sea grain deal, rejecting a Ukrainian accusation that Russia is slowing down the process, according to international media sources.

UN and Ukraine agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative by 120 days, aiming to ease global food shortages by facilitating Ukraine's agricultural exports from its southern Black Sea ports.

After announcing their exit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia informed that it will eventually renew its participation, as it considers that "the guarantees received at the moment appear sufficient."

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106) began on November 2, and will last until November 11, with various items on its agenda to be discussed, including the Black Sea Grain Initiative, automation and piracy.

UN officials stationed at the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) for the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative said there will be no movement of vessels on November 2, in the light of Russia’s decision to suspend its involvement in the deal.

Following the Russian government’s announcement that it is suspending participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the ICS issued a statement, saying that the safety of ships and seafarers already in the grain corridor must be protected.

Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine pressing ahead to implement the deal with a transit plan in place for 16 ships.

The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) reports that some 120 vessels are due for inspection at the Sea of Marmara, as of last week.  

UN is working to expand and extend for a year the deal enabling Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports, which could expire in late November.