Another three ships carrying grain left the Ukrainian port of Odessa on Friday. Their departure follows the successful inspection in Istanbul of the first grain ship that left Ukraine earlier this week since the Russian invasion at the end of February.
The first ship was inspected by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations to ensure everything proceeded according to the agreement. After the inspection, the ship was given the green light to continue its journey to its final destination, Lebanon.
Despite the resumption of grain exports via Ukrainian Black Sea ports, the European Union wants to stick to its plan for alternative freight routes. According to Brussels, these other routes remain necessary for the time being because export volumes will not immediately return to previous levels.
The export of agricultural products through the Ukrainian Black Sea ports was blocked for months due to the Russian war of aggression. For this reason, the European Commission launched an initiative in the spring to develop alternative logistical routes through European Union countries.
Every ton exported counts, and by expanding the European transport system, the EU can help safeguard the food supply. EU Commissioner Adina Vălean did acknowledge that there is ‘still room for improvement.’ There are not enough freight wagons and inland shipping vessels, and more capacity is needed for the temporary storage of Ukrainian exports.
According to the Brussels authorities, transport routes especially to ports in Romania and Poland were heavily used. The greatest hope currently rests on the recent agreement between the United Nations and Turkey, which should enable the regular Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea to resume.