Ukraine announces temporary corridors for merchant ships going to and from its ports

The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced temporary corridors for merchant ships going to and from the ports of Ukraine. This is stated in the message of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"According to the order of the navigation order of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine No. 6 dated August 08, 2023, new temporary routes for the movement of civilian vessels to/from the Black Sea seaports of Ukraine were announced. At the same time, it is reported that there is a military threat and mine danger from the Russian Federation throughout all routes," the message says.

Previously, these routes were proposed by Ukraine in an appeal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The message states that the Council of the International Maritime Organization recognized Ukraine's right to free merchant shipping, which is guaranteed by international maritime law, and the IMO called on Russia to adhere to international conventions and stop threats to merchant shipping in the Black Sea.

"The specified routes will primarily be used to enable the exit of civilian vessels that have been in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia on February 24, 2022. Vessels whose owners/captains officially confirm their readiness to sail in the current conditions will be allowed to pass through the routes," the Navy reports.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on July 17, Russia announced the withdrawal of shipping safety guarantees in the Black Sea to ensure the "grain corridor". The last ship with Ukrainian food left the port of Odesa on July 16. After Russia's withdrawal from the Grain Agreement, the aggressor state attacked Ukraine's port grain infrastructure. World leaders, including African countries, called on Russia to stop blackmailing with food and not to hinder Ukrainian agricultural exports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander of the Navy of the AFU Oleksii Neyizhpapa and the Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction - the Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov to prepare a set of actions to continue the work of the "grain corridor", and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to develop similar diplomatic steps.

To request a correction, please send an email.