According to the MarineTraffic database, five new ships are en route to Ukrainian sea ports through a recently opened corridor. This corridor serves as an alternative arrangement for the predominantly agricultural exports that were blocked by Russia, negating the Black Sea grain deal.

Earlier today, the MarineTraffic database reported that three cargo vessels had departed from Ukrainian Black Sea ports after being loaded. These were the first ships to sail since Kyiv established a temporary “humanitarian corridor” following Russia’s withdrawal from a previous agreement guaranteeing safe passage for Ukrainian exports.

The five vessels currently heading towards the ports have been identified as Olga, Ida, Forza Doria, New Legacy, and Danny Boy.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov announced that three cargo ships were heading towards Ukrainian Black Sea ports for further exports of food and steel.

The bulk carriers Azara, Ying Hao 01, and Eneida are expected to load 127,000 metric tons of agricultural products and iron ore destined for China, Egypt, and Spain.

In the aftermath of its invasion of Ukraine in the previous year, Moscow had closed off the Black Sea ports of one of the world’s largest grain suppliers. This move was widely condemned by Kyiv and its allies as an attempt to use global food supplies as leverage.

Moscow had justified its actions by claiming that the ports could potentially be used for smuggling weapons.

In July 2022, the ports were reopened under a UN and Turkey-brokered agreement that allowed Russia to conduct inspections on ships for arms. However, a year later, Moscow withdrew from the deal and reimposed the blockade, citing neglect of its demands for better terms regarding its own food and fertilizer exports.