Explosion of Kakhovka HPP will not directly affect the grain corridor – Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine

UkrAgroConsult

The blowing up of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by Russian invaders does not directly affect the operation of the grain corridor, including the shipment of food. This was stated by Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, on the air of the United News telethon.

“If we look at whether the disaster at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant has any impact on the grain corridor and the operation of port terminals or shipments, there is no such direct impact,” he said.

Vysotsky explained that the port infrastructure of Mykolaiv and Kherson was not involved in the grain initiative. “That is, there are no physical obstacles, except for the potential risk of contamination,” the First Deputy Minister added.

At the same time, he noted that the grain initiative is not working systematically, primarily because of the blockade by Russia, and the volumes that could have been shipped in May and June from the ports included in the grain initiative are not being shipped.

“The Russian side, as a participant in inspections, very often refuses to carry out inspections or agrees to inspect literally several vessels in a random order,” Vysotsky said, noting that the corridor is currently the slowest and worst performing compared to previous periods.

The official also spoke about the implementation of elements of the so-called “Plan B” in the context of the grain corridor: “There is a government decision. The budget provides for UAH 20 billion of potential insurance payments so that owners of ships and cargoes can receive insurance from the state, as it is difficult to obtain insurance from international counterparties during the war.”

The First Deputy Minister added that the second element of Plan B is a certain security aspect. “We are finalizing the documents regarding the possibility of launching this insurance. This is an element of this “plan B,” Vysotsky summarized.

As reported, on March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the UN and Turkey agreed to extend the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Agricultural Products through the Black Sea. The agreement was extended for 120 days, but the Russians claimed that the agreement would be in effect until May 18.

Tags: Black Sea grain corridor