Black Sea Export Corridor Operation Not Suspended, Says Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister

KYIV, Oct 26 (Reuters) – Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov has denied reports that the new Black Sea export corridor has been suspended. Kubrakov dismissed claims by Ukrainian and British firms that the corridor, used for civilian vessel movement, was halted due to a threat from Russian warplanes and sea mines.

“The information regarding the cancellation or unscheduled stoppage of the temporary Ukrainian corridor for the movement of civilian vessels from and to the ports of the Big Odesa (region) is false,” Kubrakov said on X, formerly Twitter. “All available routes established by the Ukrainian Navy are valid and being used by civilian vessels.”

Barva Invest, a Kyiv-based consultancy, British security firm Ambrey, and Ukrainian Ports had all reported the suspension of the corridor. However, Kubrakov stated that these reports were inaccurate.

The Ukrainian government has been using the corridor to revive its seaborne exports without Russian approval. This move defies threats from Moscow, which ended a U.N.-brokered deal in July that had allowed some food exports to flow despite the ongoing war.

There were concerns that the suspension of the corridor would impact grain exports, leading to a decrease in global wheat prices. However, Chicago wheat futures recovered from a two-week low and increased by about 1% following Kubrakov’s denial.

Barva Invest claimed that the Ukrainian military had enforced, for the past two days, a de facto suspension of vessel traffic along the corridor due to increased Russian air force activity. Ambrey, in a report, stated that the Ukrainian Seaport Authority confirmed the suspension on October 26, attributing it to Russian Air Force operations in the area.

In response to the suspension reports, Kubrakov emphasized that vessel traffic along the corridor was continuing as usual. He stated that 23 ships were currently loading in the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi.

Since its inception in August, the Black Sea export corridor has facilitated the shipment of around 700,000 tons of grain from Ukrainian ports. Prior to Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine exported up to six million tons of grain per month through its Black Sea ports.

The corridor, initially established as a “humanitarian corridor” to bypass the de facto blockade in the Black Sea, has since been used for grain shipments as well. Kubrakov expressed the government’s intention to continue utilizing the corridor for exports to African and Asian markets.

Despite the conflicting reports, Kubrakov’s statement affirms that the Black Sea export corridor is still operational, providing relief to Ukraine’s seaborne exports.

Reference