Export of Ukrainian goods via the new sea corridor reached 1.5 million tons, – Kubrakov

Exports of Ukrainian products via the new alternative corridor in the Black Sea are growing. This was stated by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, at the Sixth German-Ukrainian Economic Forum.

“The number one condition for economic recovery is the ability to export through the deepwater ports of the Black Sea. Since Russia withdrew from the grain deal, we have started working on a new alternative corridor. We already have the first results – almost 1.5 million metric tons have been exported,” Kubrakov said.

According to him, during the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s operation from August 2022 to July 2023, 32.9 million tons of agricultural products were exported from Ukraine to Africa, Asia and Europe. After Russia withdraws from these agreements, Ukraine needs to focus on developing export logistics.

“The Danube performs a very important function. When the ports of Greater Odesa were not working, it took over almost 50% of all exports and imports. This is our major alternative route,” Kubrakov added.

As reported, in July, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and said it would treat any civilian vessel leaving Ukrainian ports as a military target. After that, Russia launched massive attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube, launching “shahed” strikes on grain storage and transshipment facilities.

In turn, Ukraine established its own temporary route from the ports of Greater Odesa. Since September 16, 32 vessels with a total capacity of about 1.4 million tons have entered Ukrainian Black Sea ports via the temporary corridor. The total capacity of these vessels roughly corresponds to the volume of agricultural products shipped for export in the first month of the Black Sea Grain Initiative after its launch last summer with the support of Turkey and the UN. However, this is only a third of the volumes that were exported from Ukrainian ports in the months when it was most effective.

Initially, shipowners were wary of using the new route because Russia threatened to treat any ships sailing to Ukraine as potential targets. However, while the number of ships is growing, security risks remain the same.

Tags: Ukraine, export, Black Sea grain corridor