Emerging victorious from a newly minted sea corridor in the Black Sea, two pioneering fleet vessels arrived at a Ukrainian port. The ships, their voyages overseen by the competent Ukrainian port authorities, successfully docked at Chornomorsk last Saturday. Bracing themselves for an industrious feat, they were poised to be laden with 20,000 tonnes of wheat, a golden bounty destined for the world’s markets.
Marking a historic moment, this successful venture signified the maiden arrival of civilian ships at a Ukrainian port since the dissolution of a critical pact with Russia. This earlier accord was central to ensuring the safety of marine vessels. Until the recent breakthrough, this maritime artery had only witnessed the departures of vessels, unsung heroes that tirelessly departed Ukrainian shores.
Acknowledging this momentous voyage, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov highlighted that the two brave vessels, the Resilient Africa and the Aroyat, sailed under the ensign of the Oceanic island nation of Palau. The crews of these vessels, notable for their diversity, comprised individuals from Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Egypt.
These ships are to deliver their hearty cargo of wheat to Egypt and Israel, as confirmed by Ukraine’s agricultural ministry. The maritime corridor, cozy on the western coast of the Black Sea, was unilaterally pronounced by Kyiv after Russia withdrew its support from an international agreement. This UN-backed deal had been critical for streamlining grain exports from Ukrainian ports.
Russia voiced its grievance against the deal for allegedly neglecting to ensure the export of its food and fertilisers. Raising another issue, the nation complained of the debilitating Western sanctions that stifled its agricultural exports.
In a disturbing turn of events, Russia has since been threatening to perceive civilian vessels on their way to Ukraine as potential military targets. Just a few days ago, Russia was accused by the UK of launching a ruthless onslaught on a civilian vessel with multiple cruise missiles, a startling attack that occurred in the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
Ukraine, a global leader in the distribution of various crops such as sunflower oil, barley, maize, and wheat, was profoundly affected when Russia instigated an invasion back in February 2022. A consequential move saw Russia’s navy imposing a blockade on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, a strategic maneuver that effectively imprisoned 20 million tonnes of grain earmarked for export.
This led to a meteoric surge in global food prices and the implicit dread of an impending food shortage. Particularly vulnerable were Middle Eastern and African nations, who rely heavily on Ukrainian food imports. Several of these nations, namely Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia, continue to face dire humanitarian crises.
Amplifying the imminent naval threat, Moscow has intensified its assaults on Ukrainian port infrastructure. Prominent targets include the ports of Izmail and Reni, which have been the primary gateways for Ukraine’s grain exports since July. These brazen attempts to sabotage operations were denounced by Kyiv as a “cynical” affront to impede Ukraine’s grain exports, thereby jeopardizing global food security.