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Russia is urging the West to lift sanctions, claiming that punitive measures are preventing millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products from flowing out of Ukrainian ports. This is exacerbating the global food crisis, as Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, products which the war is not allowing to export.
A Kremlin spokesman accused the West of “illegal actions that led to the blockade.” Western officials have denied Russia’s allegations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted this week that food, chemical fertilizers and seeds are exempt from US sanctions.
Ukrainian ports continue to be blocked by the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, thus interrupting the export of essential goods, including grain and oils.
“As you can see, navigation is not dense in the western part. Only a few boats appear. “This is an area of fighting and danger from mines and airstrikes.”says Sergey Gorbachev, retired first-class captain.
At least 70 steamers, 95% of which are from other countries, remain stranded in Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Merchant ships from all over the world remain anchored due to the Russian blockade
“Ship traffic, including fishing boats, was completely banned. Ships from northwestern Crimea docked here while barred from sailing“, Says entrepreneur Andrey Bezukh.
The consequences are being felt by traders in the country, as Ukraine is losing millions of dollars due to export problems. Failure to ship essential products, in particular cereals, by sea has put the world’s food security at risk.
“We once had 6 million tons, departing from ports and shipping points. We are now somewhere around 600-700 thousand per month“, Says grain trader Vitaly Lavrov.
The grain has been in Ukrainian ports for weeks
Hundreds of ships continue to remain stranded in Crimea as well.
While boats cannot move, fishing businesses on this peninsula are in trouble.
“The company is suffering losses. We had projected 100 tonnes of fish for 2022. And that’s just a fraction of the 352 tonne quota for Crimea“, Says local entrepreneur Andrey Bezukh.
Fishing boats also stay on the pier as they are not allowed to sail
While companies are therefore experiencing losses, the impact is direct on the global supply chain.
“It is mainly about exports of cereals, vegetable oil, sunflower oil. We know how important they are to the global food balance. Extremely importantSays Mikhail Voytenko, publisher of the Maritime Bulletin.
As ships are not allowed to move, people have been forced to search to find another job.
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