UN-chartered ship carrying 30,000 tonnes of wheat for Afghanistan leaves Ukrainian port

NEW YORK, UN. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Six ships carrying over 100,000 tonnes of foods were cleared by the Joint Coordination Center and departed from Ukrainian ports on Thursday, the United Nations said in a statement.

"The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) reports that six vessels left Ukrainian ports today carrying a total of 102,320 metric tons of grain and other food products under the Black Sea Grain Initiative," the statement said.

According to the UN, MV Mohamad Y (11,000 of wheat), MV Ant (4,500 tonnes of barley) and MV Oris Marine (3,500 tonnes of sunflower oil) are destined for Turkey, MV Ellie M (50,220 tonnes of corn) is headed to Spain, and MV Alsu (3,100 tonnes of vegetable oil) is going to Egypt.

Meanwhile, MV BC Vanessa is carrying 30,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan. "This vessel is a WFP [World Food Program] chartered vessel and its cargo will support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan," the UN said.

"As of 22 September, the total tonnage of grain and other foodstuffs exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 4,350,399 metric tons. A total of 403 voyages (212 inbound and 191 outbound) have been enabled so far," it said.

The UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine agreed in Istanbul on July 22 to open a grain corridor from three Ukrainian ports - Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhyi.