Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry deliberates on plan to export grains from three sea ports

The ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenny are being prepared for the export of Ukrainian grain. The vessels will navigate to and from these ports in a caravan formation.

That’s according to the Ministry of Infrastructure’s report, issued on Telegram, as seen by Ukrinform.

"In connection with the signing of the Initiative on the export of grain and related food products by sea of July 22, 2022, the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny are being prepared for the resumption of operations. Taking this into account, we inform you that ships will arrive in and depart from the said seaports by forming a caravan, which will be accompanied by the lead vessel," the statement reads.

In order to draw up plans for the formation of caravans, applications must be sent via email at lon@ods.uspa.gov.ua.

As reported by Ukrinform, an agreement was signed in Istanbul on July 22 following a four-way meeting between Ukraine, Turkey, the United Nations, and Russia, to unblock grain and other food exports from the ports of Ukraine.

Two mirror agreements were signed in tripartite format. The deal was signed by Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed the agreement in the same format on behalf of Russia.

The day after the deal was inked, Russia launched Kalibr cruise missiles targeting the Odesa port infrastructure. Two missiles were shot down by anti-aircraft defense forces and two more hit the infrastructure facilities.

Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that, despite the Russian shelling of the Odesa port, Ukraine is still preparing to start exporting grain to global markets.