Over two years, the ports of Greater Odesa transported 137 million tons of cargo

The ports of Odesa region have handled more than 137 million tons of cargo on board more than 5,300 vessels during the operation of the Ukrainian corridor.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

Of these, more than 84 million tons are products grown by Ukrainian farmers. Thanks to the maritime corridor, Ukrainian products and goods get to the markets of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East: a total of 54 countries. According to the Ministry, this helps to keep world food prices stable and prevent hunger in countries that are most dependent on grain imports.

The corridor is also the basis for humanitarian initiatives such as Grain from Ukraine and Food from Ukraine, which help supply food to countries facing an acute food crisis.

Unlike the grain corridor, the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor allows transportation of not only agricultural products but also other goods, such as metallurgical products. Ukraine has full control over the export process. Freight transportation by sea continues despite Russia's constant shelling of critical infrastructure. Over the past two years of the Ukrainian corridor's operation, Russian attacks have damaged or partially destroyed 442 port infrastructure facilities and 38 civilian vessels. Also, 118 civilians were injured or killed.

After Russia withdrew from the grain deal, the ports of Greater Odesa were blockaded, which posed a serious threat to global food security, as Ukraine is one of the world's main grain suppliers.

Accordingly, with the help of the UN and Turkey, Ukraine organized a humanitarian corridor that allowed for the resumption of grain exports and access to more than 40 countries. Subsequently, the military announced the expansion of the capacity of the Ukrainian sea corridor.

Кирило Бойко