Will Ukraine be able to export grain through the new "humanitarian corridor"?

On August 16, 2023, the first civilian ship - the container ship "JOSEPH SCHULTE" under the flag of Hong Kong with 30,000 tons of cargo (2114 containers), including food, left the port of Odesa on August 16, 2023 through the new temporary "humanitarian corridor". This vessel remained in the port of Odesa from February 23, 2022.

The Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine O. Kubrakov said that the corridor will primarily be used to evacuate ships that were in the Black Sea ports of Ukraine at the time of the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation.

Ukraine officially notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about the work of the corridor, and it confirmed Ukraine's right to regulate navigation and called on the Russian Federation to adhere to international conventions and stop threats.

In July, the Russian Federation announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement under the pretext of non-fulfillment of its conditions, and then began shelling the ports and grain infrastructure of the southern regions of Ukraine.

In response, Ukrainian troops attacked Russian warships in the Kerch Strait and near the port of Novorossiysk, proving that both sides can block ports. This became an ultimatum for the Russian Federation: either civilian goods from Ukraine and the Russian Federation will be transported through the Black Sea, or it will be blocked for everyone.

The launch of the new corridor gives hope for unblocking ports for all types of products. If Ukraine is able to safely withdraw merchant vessels from Black Sea ports, some shipowners will agree to bring ships to Black Sea ports under the guarantees of the Ukrainian government in the near future.