SHIPS exporting Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea will be protected by a 10-nautical-mile buffer zone, according to long-awaited procedures agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations, reports Manila's Rappler.com
Under the deal, 'The parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels or other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this initiative.'
In a two-week trial phase, 10 ships - stuck in Ukraine since the war started - have departed with corn, soybeans, and sunflower oil and meal. Two empty vessels have travelled to Ukraine to collect shipments.
The biggest ship yet, the 75,656-dwt Liberian-flagged Ocean Lion, was due to leave the Port of Chornomorsk this week to deliver 64,720 tonnes of corn to South Korea, said the Joint Coordination Centre, the body that oversees the deal and is made up of Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and UN officials.
Ukraine, along with Russia, is a major global supplier of wheat and other foodstuffs. However, the first ship to depart Ukraine under the UN deal last week is now looking for another port to unload after the initial Lebanese buyer refused delivery, citing a more than five-month delay.
The UN has stressed that the export deal is a commercial - not a humanitarian - operation that will be driven by the market. All ships are required to be inspected to allay Russian concerns they could be smuggling weapons in to Ukraine.
Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at Lloyd's Market Association - which represents the interests of all underwriting businesses in the Lloyd's of London insurance market - told Reuters that the industry could now 'play its part'.
'The successful exit of multiple vessels was beyond the imagining of most people only a few weeks ago and to have come this far is extraordinary,' said Mr Roberts. 'To actually achieve the goals of the UN's initiative would be something for historians to reflect on.'
SeaNews Turkey
Under the deal, 'The parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels or other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this initiative.'
In a two-week trial phase, 10 ships - stuck in Ukraine since the war started - have departed with corn, soybeans, and sunflower oil and meal. Two empty vessels have travelled to Ukraine to collect shipments.
The biggest ship yet, the 75,656-dwt Liberian-flagged Ocean Lion, was due to leave the Port of Chornomorsk this week to deliver 64,720 tonnes of corn to South Korea, said the Joint Coordination Centre, the body that oversees the deal and is made up of Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and UN officials.
Ukraine, along with Russia, is a major global supplier of wheat and other foodstuffs. However, the first ship to depart Ukraine under the UN deal last week is now looking for another port to unload after the initial Lebanese buyer refused delivery, citing a more than five-month delay.
The UN has stressed that the export deal is a commercial - not a humanitarian - operation that will be driven by the market. All ships are required to be inspected to allay Russian concerns they could be smuggling weapons in to Ukraine.
Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at Lloyd's Market Association - which represents the interests of all underwriting businesses in the Lloyd's of London insurance market - told Reuters that the industry could now 'play its part'.
'The successful exit of multiple vessels was beyond the imagining of most people only a few weeks ago and to have come this far is extraordinary,' said Mr Roberts. 'To actually achieve the goals of the UN's initiative would be something for historians to reflect on.'
SeaNews Turkey