Crew on participating vessels face increased uncertainty as Russia withdraws participation in the United Nations-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which claims to represent 80% of the global merchant shipping fleet, has asked for solutions, reassurance and safe passage for seafarers and vessels following Russia’s suspension of its participation in a maritime humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea.
“The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been a global success since it was first brokered, ensuring the timely movement of food to where it is sorely needed. We hope that a solution can be found that ensures grain continues to move out of Ukraine, and that all those involved in its movement can be reassured about their safety," ICS secretary general Guy Platten said.
According to the United Nations (UN) Black Sea Grain Initiative’s Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), the delegation from the Russian Federation expressed concerns over safety for merchant vessel movements in the region on 29 October, and later suspended its participation in the programme.
"It is imperative that ships already in the grain corridor do not become collateral damage, and are allowed safe passage. Furthermore, the safety of seafarers must remain a top priority, and all parties must give consideration to the crews who may now be stuck on board or in port due to factors beyond their control. ICS will continue to work closely with the Joint Coordination Centre to ensure the wellbeing of seafarers is not forgotten during this time," Mr Platten said.
The grain initiative was set up after vessels were either targeted or caught in the crossfire during the early weeks of Russia’s ongoing war against its neighbour Ukraine.
On 29 October, Ukrainian-based outlets published video of both waterborne and airborne drone attacks on Russian naval vessels stationed near the Ukrainian coast. The level of damage sustained by Russian vessels in the attacks remains unclear, but Russia’s decision to exit the UN-backed grain initiative came shortly after the attacks on its vessels.
After Russia indicated its intent to pull out of the agreement, JCC co-ordinator Amir Abdulla alerted the Black Sea Initiative’s other main partners, Turkey and Ukraine, of Russia’s misgivings, but no deal could be struck to keep the Russian Federation involved in the initiative’s activities.
According to the JCC, the Russian Federation suspended its participation "for an indefinite time," but, for the time being remains in "dialogue" with the Turkish delegation and the United Nations (but not Ukraine) on "pressing issues".
As of 30 October, the JCC reported that 97 loaded vessels and 15 inbound vessels had registered for JCC inspection in the area around Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Another 89 vessels have applied to join the initiative.
On 29 October, JCC reported five outbound vessels safely transited the maritime humanitarian corridor linked to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with four inbound vessels also safely reaching port. Six vessels set off on an outbound voyage on 30 October. In total, the vessels were carrying nearly 300,000 tonnes of grain and other food. To date, nearly 10M tonnes of food has been safely moved through the corridor.
With vessel movements directly within the corridor halted briefly on 30 October as the JCC sought to keep cargoes moving, and some of the grain destined for famine-threatened areas in the Horn of Africa, the JCC said it was continuing to engage with all parties, "to offer options on next steps".
"To continue fulfilling the initiative, it was proposed the Turkish and United Nations delegations provide tomorrow 10 inspection teams aiming to inspect 40 outbound vessels. This inspection plan has been accepted by the delegation of Ukraine. The Russian Federation delegation has been informed," a statement from the JCC said.
"There are currently 21 vessels engaged in the Initiative that are in or near the three Ukrainian ports with a capacity of over 700,000 tonnes, including Ikaria Angel, a vessel chartered by the World Food Programme loaded with 30,000 tonnes of wheat for the emergency response in the Horn of Africa."
Ukrainian authorities reported that a barge full of grain was attacked near the port of Ochakiv, in Ukraine. Two crewmembers were killed in the attack.
An ICS database shows hundreds of seafarers remain stranded in Ukrainian ports in addition to those seafarers who could potentially become endangered following Russia’s suspension of participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The initiative was launched by the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations 22 July 2022 to enable the resumption of exports from Ukraine of grain, other foodstuffs, and fertiliser, including ammonia, through a safe maritime humanitarian corridor from three key Ukrainian ports, Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi, in the Black Sea to the rest of the world.
The initiative is based on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).
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