The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain leaves the port of Odesa. Turkish and Ukrainian officials say the ship left the southern port of Odesa early on Monday morning local time.
Russia and Ukraine came to terms on a deal to resume shipments. It is hoped the agreement will ease the global food crisis and lower the price of grain.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the departure of the ship and hailed Turkey for its role in working to implement the agreement. As Turkey said the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel, the Razoni, would dock at the port of Tripoli in Lebanon, adding that further shipments were planned over the coming weeks.
“Today Ukraine, together with partners, takes another step to prevent world hunger,” Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Alexander Kubrakov wrote on Facebook.
“Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year.”
