Ukraine Suspends Black Sea Humanitarian Grain Corridor

Reuters writer Pavel Polityuk reported today that, “Ukraine has suspended the use of its new Black Sea grain corridor due to what it sees as a threat from Russian warplanes, the Kyiv-based Barva Invest consultancy said on Thursday.

“‘We would like to inform you of a temporary suspension of vessel traffic to and from (the ports). The current ban is in force on October 26, but it is possible that it will be extended,’ the consultancy said on the Telegram messaging app.”

The Reuters article explained that, “Ukraine launched a ‘humanitarian corridor’ for ships bound for African and Asian markets in August to try to circumvent a de facto blockade in the Black Sea after Russia quit a deal that had guaranteed Kyiv’s seaborne exports during the war.

“Later, a senior agricultural official said the route would also be used for grain shipments.

“Ukrainian officials and shipping sources say more than 40 cargo vessels have entered the corridor so far and 1.5 million metric tons of cargo have left Ukrainian seaports via the corridor.”

A separate Reuters News article from today reported that, “Ukrainian grain shipments through a new Black Sea export corridor may exceed one million metric tons in October, first deputy agriculture minister Taras Vysotskiy said late on Wednesday.

“‘The situation is getting better and if you look at September and the first half of October, there is already 700,000 tons of (grain exports) and by the month (October) it may be one million and more,‘ he told the national television.”

The article pointed out that, “Ukrainian agricultural producers this week said the new route could enable exports of up to 2.5 million tons of food a month, almost offsetting the impact of Russia’s decision to quit the previous U.N.-brokered  deal.”