Ukraine has been unable to ship grain by sea since Russia invaded the country. The stoppage of sea transport has greatly reduced the country’s grain exports.
The ship carrying Ukrainian grain has been able to leave the port of Odessa, say representatives of Turkey and Ukraine.
The Razoni, which sails under the flag of Sierra Leone, has a cargo of more than 26,000 tons of corn, which is supposed to end up in Lebanon.
The ship is expected to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday. There it will be inspected before the journey continues.
Ukraine has not been able to export grain by sea due to the Russian blockade and firing. This has significantly reduced the exports of an important grain producer.
Last month, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement through the UN and Turkey on the continuation of grain shipments.
Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov extolled the grain transport in advance as a step to prevent world hunger.
Transport also helps Ukraine, because it brings export income and the agricultural sector can plan for the future, Kubrakov stated.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, another ship is also leaving from Odessa. The ministry did not say more precisely.