17 Aug 2022 13:59

Another four ships loaded with food depart from Odesa, Chornomorsk ports - media

ISTANBUL. Aug 17 (Interfax) - A convoy of four ships loaded with food departed from two Ukrainian ports on Wednesday, the Anadolu agency said with the reference to the Turkish Defense Ministry.

The ships, carrying sunflower oil, oil cake and corn, sailed out of Odesa and Chornomorsk, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlets quoted the Ukrainian Sea Port Authority as saying on social media that it expects a convoy of five vessels to enter the Chornomorsk seaport in the Odesa region on Wednesday to collect more than 70,000 tonnes of wheat, bran, sunflower oil, and corn.

"Our main goal is to increase the intensity of the 'grain corridor's' operations as regards ships' entry to ports. Today, we are expecting five vessels to enter the Chornomorsk port, which is the largest daily number since the 'grain corridor' was opened. We need to maintain this pace in order to be able to transship more than three million tonnes every month, receiving some 100 vessels a month," head of the Ukrainian Sea Port Authority Oleksiy Vostrikov said.

On July 22, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations signed two documents to create a corridor for grain exports from three Ukrainian seaports: Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhne. The parties also established the joint coordination center monitoring food supplies that brings together representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN.

In all, 25 ships loaded with food have departed from Ukrainian ports since August 1 consistent with the agreement.