The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine claims that Russia continues to block the Pivdenny port even after the grain corridor agreement was restored. Russia will inspect only those vessels bound for the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk. On Friday, May 19, three vessel inspections were conducted, on May 20, only two. An inspection of four ships was planned for May 21.
The Port of Pivdenny has been idled due to a lack of cargo vessels. “Russia does not allow it to participate in the grain initiative“, the Ministry of Infrastructure emphasized. Currently, more than 1.5 million tons of agricultural products are stored there, and 26 ships are waiting in the territorial waters of Turkey to take them away.
It is noted that Pivdenny is the largest port in throughput, and stopping its work will significantly decrease export volumes. Ukraine has called on Turkey and the UN to influence Russia, otherwise, it will be necessary to accept that the grain initiative is only partially in effect.