By KYIV. Nov 8 (Interfax-Ukraine) – After the return of Russian representatives to the Joint Coordinating Centre (JCC) of the Grain Agreement, the queues for the inspection of ships grew again, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Yuriy Vaskov said.
"Joint inspections have resumed. All four parties are participating in the inspection. But they are now planned on average only 12 per day, of which eight to nine are actually completed. At the same time, the need is 25-30 per day. When Turkey and the UN conducted independent inspections on October 30-31, they let 46 ships pass one day and 39 the next. We continue to communicate with partners to increase the number of inspections," he said in an interview with Liga.
According to Vaskov, as of November 7, some 88 vessels were awaiting permission to enter Ukrainian ports, and 18 loaded vessels were preparing for inspection in Turkish territorial waters.
"During the three months of the corridor’s operation, we shipped 10.1 million tonnes of grain from the ports of Great Odesa to the world. This is a significant indicator on a global scale. Therefore, our task is to increase this volume. By the end of October, we exported 4.2 million tonnes," the deputy minister said.
He also noted that it is possible to switch to the JCC work without Russia’s participation, but this will have certain difficulties for the market, including an increase in the cost of chartering ships, insurance, etc.
"Five days of uncertainty led to the fact that insurance companies changed their behavior, some refused to insure without the resumption of four-party participation, freight rates increased. The shipping market is very sensitive to safety issues. The format with the participation of all parties, where they undertake not to attack the ships and infrastructure involved in the export of grain, looks the most reliable for world players," the Deputy Minister noted.
At the same time, according to Vaskov, there is also the option of additional financial guarantees to carriers from the government of Ukraine in case the Russian Federation withdraws from the agreement.
"In practice, this option has already been implemented twice: for airlines with guarantees of coverage in case of negative consequences in February and coverage for the Danube ports if any civil ship is hit. Theoretically, this can be extended to seaports if other options need to be considered," he stated.
According to the deputy minister, the opening of the Mykolaiv seaport for the export of grain and fertilizers is a humanitarian issue in which the Ministry of Infrastructure counts on the support of the UN.
At the same time, regarding the expansion of the range of cargoes, here, according to Vaskov, the position of Turkey is important, which is also interested in the growth of shipping in the Black Sea.
