A cargo vessel carrying 33,000 tons of corn departed from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk on Thursday, bound for Egypt across the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian authorities familiar with the voyage details.
Earlier in the day, a spokesman for the Odessa Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, told reporters that another ship had also set off toward its destination with Ukrainian agro-industrial goods. He noted that four additional vessels were expected to leave during Thursday, with at least two of them loaded with wheat. Bratchuk emphasized that the Black Sea corridor remains secure thanks to the agreement brokered under the United Nations and Turkey, enabling continued shipments from the region.
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced on its Facebook page that today’s sailing ship is the cargo carrier Maria, which is expected to reach Egypt in the coming days carrying goods destined for markets in North Africa.
In total, the authority reported that the sea corridor has produced exports totaling about 600,000 tons since its operation began at the start of the month, primarily agricultural products. Officials highlighted the positive market response to the steady, efficient work of Ukrainian port operators and the improved flow of cargo requests. They noted a rise in both the number of requests to dispatch ships from ports in the Odessa region and the speed with which those requests are processed.
Since the Istanbul-backed agreement to create the sea corridor was signed, 25 ships carrying Ukrainian products, mainly grain, have departed the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenny. The steady cadence of shipments underscores Ukraine’s ongoing role in supplying global markets while maintaining safe, monitored routes through key maritime corridors.
Officials stressed that the corridor’s operation has provided a reliable channel for exports, contributing to the stability of international grain trade and offering a dependable option for buyers seeking steady deliveries. Market observers noted that the evolving schedule of departures reflects continued collaboration among Ukrainian authorities, port operators, and international partners to sustain maritime commerce in the region.
As shipments continue to move, analysts and port authorities alike will be watching for any shifts in demand, port processing times, and the capacity of loading and unloading facilities along the corridor. The overarching objective remains securing a predictable flow of agricultural commodities to global markets while maintaining safety and transparency in port operations.
In the broader context, the ongoing activity signals that the Black Sea route, with international support, is functioning as a viable lifeline for Ukraine’s exports, helping to stabilize supply chains and support farmers and exporters during a period of disruption and volatility in regional markets.