ISTANBUL: Despite Russian threats to attack ships traveling to or from Ukraine, a second vessel loaded with Ukrainian grain arrived in Turkey via the Black Sea on Sunday, as reported by maritime traffic monitoring websites.
The bulk carrier Aroyat, flying the flag of Palau and carrying 17,600 tons of grain, departed from the port city of Chornomorsk on Friday with Egypt as its destination. Ukraine is currently testing a new sea route that avoids international waters and instead travels through areas controlled by NATO member countries Bulgaria and Romania. This shift comes in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal from a grain export deal supported by the United Nations and Turkey.
According to tracking websites Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder, the Aroyat was positioned at the southern exit of the Bosphorus Strait at 0300 GMT on Sunday. The ship is expected to proceed towards the Dardanelles Strait to access the Mediterranean.
Ukrainian Grain Export
Earlier in the week, a different vessel, also flying the Palau flag and carrying 3,000 tons of wheat, left Chornomorsk and arrived in Istanbul without incident on Thursday.
Both Russia and Ukraine are significant agricultural exporters, and their supplies play a crucial role in global food security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of the previous year, along with subsequent international sanctions, has disrupted global supplies and markets.
In response to Moscow’s military actions, Ukrainian forces have been targeting Russia’s control of the Black Sea, including launching attacks on Russia-annexed Crimea. Sevastopol, which houses Russia’s Black Sea fleet, has been subject to frequent drone and missile attacks, with Kyiv claiming to have inflicted damage on several Russian warships.
