A cargo ship has completed its journey from Ukraine to Turkey via the Black Sea, following a route established by Kiev to avoid the Russian blockade of its ports.
This is what Dryad Global noted in its latest Maritime Security Threat Alert (MSTA), which was published this week, adding that “this successful transit marks the maiden voyage under the newly introduced ‘humanitarian corridor’ of Kiev, with the aim of ensuring safe navigation in the middle of the Black Sea. mined areas”.
“The Ukrainian Navy claims that this channel will primarily serve civilian vessels that have been stationed in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi since the start of the large-scale Russian assault,” the MSTA said.
Data indicate that the Hong Kong-flagged Joseph Schulte, jointly owned by German and Chinese entities, arrived in Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait early Friday, the MSTA said, adding that the observers also confirmed its entry into the waters of the NATO member. nation
The ship had previously been anchored in the Ukrainian port of Odesa for 18 months, Dryad told the MSTA, noting that the ship had arrived “just one day before the start of the invasion of Russia.”
Following Russia’s recent exit from a UN-brokered grain deal, Ukraine’s maritime structures have faced “significant attacks,” according to the MSTA.
“Following this withdrawal, Russian military forces have intensified their warnings against ships in the international waters of the Black Sea,” the MSTA said.
“Moscow’s leadership has warned that any ship heading to Ukrainian ports could be considered a military cargo transport and has yet to recognize the shipping route designated by Kiev,” he added.
Ukraine’s risk and impact rating is designated “critical” in Dryad’s latest MSTA. The company’s MSTAs use five designations to rank country risk and impact ratings. These include critical, severe, substantial, moderate and low.
In its previous MSTA, which was published last week, Dryad stated that a Russian naval ship fired warning shots at a cargo ship sailing in the southwestern Black Sea, “marking the first instance of Russia targeting merchant ships beyond Ukraine since withdrawing from a major UN-brokered grain deal last month”.
“During the last reporting period, Ukraine declared a ‘humanitarian passage’ in the Black Sea to facilitate the exit of cargo ships that have been confined to its ports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022,” he said Dryad in this MSTA.
“This passage serves as a new challenge to Russia’s implicit blockade, especially after Moscow reneged on an agreement last month that allowed Kiev to export grain,” he added.
“Moscow has not yet indicated whether it will recognize the sea crossing, and individuals in the shipping and insurance sectors have expressed concerns about security,” MSTA continued.
UN: Deep regret
In a statement published on the UN website on July 17, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I deeply regret the decision of the Russian Federation to end the implementation of the Sea Initiative Black, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the Black Sea. northwestern part of the Black Sea”.
“This initiative has ensured the safe passage of more than 32 million metric tons of food products from Ukrainian ports,” he added in the statement.
“The Black Sea Initiative, along with the memorandum of understanding to facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports, have been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world,” he continued.
In the statement, Guterres noted that the Russian Federation’s decision “will deal a blow to people in need everywhere.”
“But it will not stop our efforts to facilitate free access to world markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” he added.
“I especially want to recognize the efforts of the Turkish government in this regard. Looking forward, our goal must be to continue to advance global food security and global food price stability,” he said.
“This will remain the focus of my efforts,” he continued.
A decision on the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative was due on July 17, according to the UN site. The Black Sea Grains Initiative was launched in Istanbul by the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations on July 22, 2022, the UN notes on its website.
Through this initiative, a mechanism was established for safe exports of cereals, related foods and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian ports to global markets, the UN notes on its site.
Black Sea risk profile
Earlier this month, Dryad Global Analyst Noah Trowbridge told Rigzone that “despite the military escalation between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea in recent weeks, the risk profile in the region has not evolved significantly significant, with drifting sea mines being the main threat to oil and gas tankers”.
“Tensions have risen since Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered grain deal in July 2023, which allowed commercial exports of food and fertilizer from three key Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, which led in particular to ‘drone ship’ attacks and naval attacks on commercial ships in recent weeks,” he added.
“Both countries have issued warnings that vessels transiting key ports on either side would be considered possible military vessels. Vessels are advised to avoid Ukrainian waters and cooperate with naval authorities,” he added.
Dryad’s global analyst told Rigzone that drifting sea mines have been detected in the waters off Turkey, Romania and Georgia this year.
To contact the author, please send an email andreas.exarcheas@rigzone.com
