Due to russia’s statement, the movement of more than 200 ships with food was blocked
31.10.2022 - 09:15
As of October 30, the Ukrainian side did not have permits from the Joint Coordination Center to pass through the secure corridor and carry out inspections. So 218 ships are effectively blocked in their current positions.
The movement of 218 vessels participating in the Initiative for the safe transportation of grain from Ukrainian ports is blocked due to russia’s statements, the press service of the Ministry of Infrastructure reported.
Of them (as of yesterday, October 30):
95 loaded vessels that have already left Ukrainian ports and are awaiting inspection for shipment to the final consumer,
101 ships await inspection at the entrance to Ukrainian ports,
22 loaded ships are waiting to leave Ukrainian ports.
“We emphasize that the implementation of the “Initiative on safe transportation of grain and agricultural products through Ukrainian ports” is of an exclusively humanitarian nature, and Ukraine, as a party to the Initiative, has not violated any of its points,” the MIU reminded.
The Ukrainian side did not stop the movement of goods through the “grain corridor” – even despite russian military attacks on the port and energy infrastructure. Also, 15 cases of russian UAVs and aircraft approaching the prohibited distance to civilian vessels participating in the Initiative were recorded.
At the same time, the Ministry of Infrastructure noted that the actual blockade of the “grain corridor” by russian federation began back in September. It manifested itself in the artificial delay and reduction of the number of inspections, which led to the creation of a queue of 176 vessels with 2.1 million agricultural products on board.
“Thus, russia’s intention to provoke mass hunger in the needy countries of Africa and Asia, as well as to create an acute shortage of food all over the world, becomes obvious,” the ministry reminded.
Since the launch of the first ship, it has been possible to export more than 9 million tons of food, of which more than 5 million tons — to the countries of Africa and Asia.
As part of the World Food Program under the auspices of the UN, 190,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat were sent to countries on the brink of famine.
“We emphasize that Ukraine remains a reliable partner for the civilized world and is ready to continue promptly collecting and shipping agricultural products to ensure global food security,” the MIU summarized.
