Ukraine establishes temporary shipping route after Russia disrupts grain deal – letter

The Ukrainian government has asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to disseminate information among its members about the creation of a recommended sea route to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“Its purpose is to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea,” Vasyl Shkurakov, acting Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, said in the letter.

Ukraine added that the additional transportation route it is establishing leads to the territorial waters and exclusive maritime economic zone of Romania, which is one of the neighboring Black Sea countries.

Referring to Articles 22 and 87 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Rules 9 and 10 of Chapter V of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, this maritime route should “contribute to the unblocking of international navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.”

Requested route for vessels

Tags: Black Sea grain corridor, Ukraine