Despite risks, Kyiv succeeds in Black Sea naval campaign to restore vital export channels

From September 16, 32 ships with 1.4 million tons of cargo passed through the temporary corridor from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine. This corresponds to the amount of cargo that passed through the "grain corridor" under the auspices of the UN and Turkey in the first month of its operation, Bloomberg reports with reference to Marine Traffic data.

"That indicates that Kyiv’s risky bet is more than just symbolic and it is reclaiming some control of trade from its Black Sea ports," the article says.

Ukraine organized a temporary route from the ports of Greater Odesa after Russia pulled out of the UN-Turkey-backed "grain corridor" agreement in July.

For some time after that, shipowners were afraid to work with Ukraine, given Russia's threats to consider ships as potential weapons carriers.

The risks remain unchanged, the agency notes, but the number of vessels entering Ukrainian ports is increasing.

The ships are now trying to stay closer to the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania to reduce risks. According to Marine Traffic data, some vessels turn off their location signals when entering Black Sea ports.

At the same time, at least nine Panamax ships entered Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Shipowners are ready to take risks by sending larger and more valuable ships to Ukraine, despite the potential danger, Bloomberg notes.

In addition to agricultural crops, ships also transported iron ore products. Only grain, food products and fertilizers could be transported through the UN "Grain Corridor".

On October 1, 2023, the largest port of Ukraine accepted the inbound fleet for loading for the first time since spring.