According to Kiev, a day after signing an agreement for the export of grain and other agricultural products, Russia attacked the port of Odessa, where grain is stored, a Ukrainian military spokesman said. It was initially unclear whether the agreements, which according to Russian statements should come into effect in the coming days, have now expired. An overview of the planned facilities:
- Coordination Center in Istanbul: Representatives of Ukraine and Russia, as well as Turkey and the United Nations, must jointly determine the timetable for the cargo ships passing through the Black Sea. According to experts, the center could be operational in three to four weeks.
- Examination of ships for weapons: The cargo ships are expected to be inspected by representatives of the four sides upon departure and arrival in Istanbul to prevent clandestine arms deliveries. Moscow had demanded this.
- Safe corridors in the Black Sea: Ukraine and Russia agree to respect the safe corridors for cargo ships and to refrain from military activities there. When leaving Ukraine, the cargo ships must be accompanied by Ukrainian military boats. The ships will leave the Ukrainian ports of Odessa, Piwdenny (Yuzhne) and Chornomorsk.
- The contract is initially valid for four months: The contract is initially valid for four months and is automatically extended. If about eight million tons of grain can be exported per month, four months should be enough to export the currently blocked grain of 25 million tons.
- Guarantees for Russian export of agricultural goods: The treaty should be supplemented by an agreement signed by Russia and the United Nations. This should ensure that Western sanctions against Russia do not affect the export of Russian grain and fertilizer. Russia had previously complained that sanctions against transport companies, banks and insurance companies also indirectly hindered the export of agricultural goods.
- No demining for the time being: The negotiators initially refrain from clearing mines in the Black Sea. According to the UN, this would have taken ‘too much time’. The mines were mainly laid by Ukraine to defend its ports. Ukrainian warships will also accompany the grain carriers at the start of the journey to avoid the mines. According to the agreement, if mine clearance is required, it must be done by representatives of another country that has not yet been named.
- Cargo ships from Turkey and Greece: According to the Institute of Maritime Trade (Isemar), mainly Turkish and Greek bulk carriers will be used to ship the grain. A ship can usually load between 20,000 and 70,000 tons of grain.
- Safety for shipowners and crew: Large parts of the Black Sea and the Azov Sea have been uninsured since the start of the war at the end of February. According to Slyvain Gauden of the French reinsurer Scor, some kind of additional insurance still needs to be taken out for the ships concerned. According to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the safety of the crew still has to be arranged before the agreement can enter into force.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
