The bulk carrier Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, has altered its original course and is likely awaiting new instructions for its destination, according to the Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamia.
Departing from the port of Odessa with a corn cargo reported to be headed to the Lebanese port of Tripoli, Razoni shifted its route before reaching the previously announced destination. Data indicates it is awaiting guidance to identify its new target, as stated by the minister.
The Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon told Reuters that the ship was delayed and did not arrive today. The mission did not provide a new arrival date or a reason for the delay at that time.
Citing a port management source on August 6, TASS reported that the cargo ship changed course and was expected to arrive in Tripoli on the morning of August 9. This update followed earlier notices about the ship’s movements during the Istanbul process negotiations.
According to Kommersant, citing data from the Maritime Traffic portal on August 6, Razoni shifted its status to “order,” signaling that the ship is waiting for a buyer for its cargo. The dry cargo ship is carrying corn intended as fodder for chickens within the framework of the July 22 Istanbul agreement.
how far has the ship traveled
Razoni left the Ukrainian port on August 1 as part of a grocery deal involving Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and Turkey. The Sierra Leone-flagged ship is reported to have carried 26 thousand tons of corn bound for Lebanon, according to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense.
On the evening of August 2, Razoni arrived in Istanbul for ammunition and weapons control checks. By August 4, the cargo ship had crossed the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, entering international waters, with an expected arrival in Tripoli port on August 7.
grain delivery to ukraine
A few days after Razoni’s departure, three additional bulk carriers Navistar, Rojen and Polarnet left Ukrainian ports and headed toward Istanbul. The Ministry of National Defense announced that Navistar departed Odessa under a Panamanian flag with 33 thousand tons of corn on board.
Rojen went from Chornomorsk to England, carrying 13,000 tons of corn. A source cited by ITV indicated that the Maltese-flagged vessel should reach the United Kingdom on August 14.
Polarnet, also leaving Chornomorsk, sails under the Turkish flag and carries 12 thousand tons of corn. Its final stop is listed as Karasu port.
On August 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the dispatch of three dry cargo ships carrying grain from Ukraine’s ports. He noted that about 60,000 tonnes of corn were being sent to Turkey, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and that a new ship from Odessa to Chernomorsk for loading was planned.
The Ukrainian president described the ongoing export expansion as a major objective. He added that increasing grain on the world market helps reduce political turmoil fueled by food shortages, particularly in Africa and Asia, and observed strong European demand for imported food this year.
Russia and Turkey reached an agreement on July 22 to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. The Ukrainian delegation signed a related commitment separately from the Russian side. The agreement envisions a safe corridor in the Black Sea for grain-carrying vessels, with inspections to ensure no weapons are aboard. The safe passage of ships along the humanitarian sea corridor is monitored by a joint coordination center in Istanbul, ensuring compliance and safety for all parties involved.