First Ukrainian grain shipment to arrive in Istanbul for inspection
Istanbul, Aug 2 (EFE).- The first grain shipment to leave the Ukrainian port of Odesa under a UN-brokered deal to end a Russian blockade is expected to arrive in Turkish waters later Tuesday.
The Razoni cargo ship, loaded with 27,000 tons of corn and sailing under the Sierra Leonean flag, will continue to Lebanon after an inspection in Istanbul.
Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations signed a landmark deal on July 22 to reopen Black Sea ports and resume grain exports.
“The Razoni was expected earlier, but due to sea conditions, it is expected that it will drop anchor at midnight at a designated place in Istanbul,” Turkish rear admiral Ozcan Altunbulak told reporters.
“The ship will continue its journey once a team, made up of representatives from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations, has carried out an inspection,” he added.
The inspection is set to take place on Wednesday morning between 5.00 and 9.00 GMT, according to a defense spokesman.
The spokesman told Efe that there is no information on when the next shipments would leave Ukraine but it is expected that exports under the agreement would continue without interruptions.EFE
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