By KYIV. Oct 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The bulk carrier BC Callisto with 30,500 tonnes of food wheat became the second ship to deliver grain to Algeria as part of the "grain initiative," albeit with a two-week delay due to idle time in the Bosphorus Strait, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine reported on Thursday.
According to the release, the ship with Ukrainian food passed the way from the port of Chornomorsk to Algeria in 25 days, of which 14 days was idle in the Bosphorus Strait waiting for the inspection of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC).
"Currently, 175 ships are waiting for inspections in the Bosphorus. This artificial line is caused by the fact that the Russians are blocking inspections and the implementation of the "grain initiative." In this regard, Ukrainian ports are forced to operate only at 25-30% of their capacity," the agency noted.
Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yuriy Vaskov commented that Ukrainian port services are doing their best to expedite cargo handling. For example, they loaded the BC Callisto in three days.
"The problem lies in the insufficient number of inspection teams. The UN and Turkey support the need to increase the number of inspectors, since such a delay is a matter of both food security and security in the Bosphorus Strait," Vaskov added.
