Ukraine boldly initiated the departure of a ship laden with grains from the Black Sea port, demonstrating their resolve against Russian threats to classify civilian vessels as potential military targets. Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kurakov shared on social media that the Resilient Africa vessel, carrying 3,000 tons of wheat, has departed from Chornomorsk and is en route to the Bosphorus. This move follows the vessel’s previous entry into a Ukrainian port through a newly-established corridor, alongside another ship preparing for a voyage to Egypt.
The backdrop to this defiance is Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, which had allowed maritime exports from Ukraine. Responding to this development, Kyiv ingeniously created a naval corridor that several cargo ships have been utilizing. Primarily, it facilitates the transportation of vessels through the Danube River, as well as road and rail connections into Europe. However, this strategy has incurred higher transport costs, and some European nations have hesitated due to the resulting local grain prices, compounded by the Danube ports’ limited capacity compared to seaports.
Ukraine’s assertion of sovereignty extends beyond maritime matters, as demonstrated by their announcement of successfully downing 27 Shahed drones in the latest Russian aerial assault. Ukraine, a global grain production powerhouse, specializes in wheat, corn, and barley cultivation and export. The country commands a significant share of the international market, accounting for 10 percent of the world wheat market, 15 percent of the corn market, and 13 percent of the barley market. Furthermore, Ukraine plays a pivotal role in the sunflower oil market, with over 50 percent of world trade, according to the European Commission.
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