Ukraine increases size of vessels in grain export initiative

MOSCOW. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Ukraine is increasing the size of the vessels involved in carrying out the grain export deal so as to boost the scale of exports, Ukrainian media reported, citing the Restoration Ministry.

Vessels size has been increased from 20,000 tonnes to 25,000 tonnes for grains and from 6,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes for vegetable oil. Since the average number of incoming vessel inspections is just 2.5 vessels per day, the increase in the amount of exports should be seen in about six weeks, the ministry said on social media.

The ministry said 1.1 million tonnes of agricultural products were exported from Greater Odessa ports last week under the grain initiative. This included 54,000 tonnes of wheat shipped to Sri Lanka, 57,000 tonnes to Bangladesh, and 90,000 tonnes to Kenya, Tunisia and Egypt.

Exports last week were up by 152,000 tonnes from the previous week, but the overall number of vessels calls continued to decrease. Greater Odessa ports received only 16 vessels last week, compared to 25 in the previous week, the ministry said.

As of February 12, 145 vessels were waiting for Joint Coordination Center (JCC) inspection, including 122 heading to Ukrainian ports for agricultural products. As of January 18, 121 vessels were awaiting JCC inspection in the Bosphorus, including 28 with agricultural products onboard and 93 heading to ports for loading; there were 104 vessels as of January 13, 98 as of January 10 and 95 as of December 26.

There are now 18 vessels at Greater Odessa ports being loaded with 584,500 tonnes of Ukrainian food products.

A total of 732 vessels carrying 21 million tonnes of Ukrainian food exports have left Greater Odessa ports since August 1.