Alexander Kubrakov, head of the Ministry of Communities, Regions and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, reported that more than 20 million tons of cargo were moved after Kyiv opened temporary routes for ships in the Black Sea in August last year. He shared this update on his Facebook page, noting that its owner is banned in Russia, a move Meta has faced as an extremist designation in that jurisdiction.
The minister highlighted that over 700 ships traversed the temporary corridor since August 2023. Departures occurred from Odessa and other Black Sea and southern ports, with occasional interruption due to periodic attacks along the routes.
Earlier, Kubrakov stated that approximately 200 port infrastructure facilities have sustained damage since the grain agreement ended in July of the previous year.
He also indicated that Ukraine transported more than 22 million tons of cargo through the Black Sea corridors established in August last year, enabling shipments through the temporary routes.
On July 22, 2022, representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations signed a grain agreement in Istanbul. The accord aimed to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers via Black Sea ports, including Odessa. The agreement was terminated on July 17, 2023.
Previously, experts suggested the temporary arrangements could serve as a replacement for the prior grain agreement.