Ukraine announces normalization of exports through Black Sea ports

MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - Cargo exports from Ukraine's main Black Sea ports have almost reached the level seen before the start of the military operation in the country in February 2022, Ukrainian media reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister Alexander Kubrakov.

Exports from Greater Odessa ports have almost reached pre-conflict levels, Kubrakov said on social media.

He said the marine corridor and the Danube River route have handled almost 33.8 million tonnes of exports since August 2023, after Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain initiative in July 2023. Some 1,140 vessels set sail for 40 countries from Greater Odessa ports.

The products of Ukrainian farmers made up 23.1 million tonnes of the cargo shipped through the marine corridor, while 33 million tonnes of agricultural products were exported in the year that the grain initiative was in effect, Kubrakov said.

Infrastructure Development Ministry materials show that 3.4 million tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the corridor in January 2024, 2.7 million tonnes in February and 2.1 million tonnes in March. With other cargo, export shipments totalled 7.8 million tonnes in January, 8 million tonnes in February and 6.3 million tonnes in March.

Kubrakov said 150 vessels that are expected to export almost 5 million tonnes of cargo are now waiting at approaches to the ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.