The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Saturday that two more grain-laden ships have departed Ukraine's Chornomorsk port, raising the total number of ships that had departed Ukrainian Black Sea ports as part of a grain export agreement mediated by the U.N. to 27.
The joint coordination centre established to enable safe passage said in a statement that the Zumrut Ana and MV Ocean S, which are authorised to leave on August 20, were laden with 6,300 tonnes of sunflower oil and 25,000 tonnes of wheat, respectively.
According to the Sea Ports Authority of Ukraine, food has already started to be loaded into seven ships, which will transport 66,500 tonnes of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil to consumers.
Since the war began, Ukraine's grain exports have declined as a result of the closure of its Black Sea ports, a crucial shipping route. This has increased the price of food globally and raised concerns about shortages in Africa and the Middle East.
Three Black Sea ports were opened at the end of July as a result of an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv that was mediated by the United Nations and Turkey.
The bulk carriers Andan Toplak, Filyoz, and Maranta had been anchored in the port of Chornomorsk, according to the Authority, while loading had started on the Ganosaya and Kubrosli Y in the port of Odesa.
Both the tanker Foyle and the bulk carrier Mohamad Y are waiting for their turn in the Pivdennyi port.
The Authority said Ukrainian-origin food would be delivered to France, Sudan, Turkey and the Netherlands.
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Friday a further ten cargo ships were being loaded with grain in Ukrainian Black Sea ports and being prepared for shipment.
He said 25 ships had already been dispatched from the three Ukrainian ports, with 630,000 tonnes of agricultural products on board.