1st Grain Vessel Departed Ukraine Since Grain Deal Block Arrives in Istanbul

The first grain ship to sail from Ukraine since the halting of the Grain deal with Russia in July reached Istanbul, marine traffic monitors said on Thursday.

Ukrainian officials said the Resilient Africa vessel is carrying 3,000 tonnes of wheat when it departed the Ukrainian Chornomorsk port on Tuesday. 

On Saturday, Ukraine announced that there are various civil ships heading to Ukraine to carry grain for African and Asian markets since the end of the grain deal with Russia to ensure the safety of ships in the Black Sea.

last month, Ukraine announced the establishment of a "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea to export its grain.

Five vessels used the corridor to exit Ukraine's ports, according to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Kubrakov added: "The first civilian ships used the temporary corridor to enter Ukrainian ports."

He said the two ships will load nearly 20,000 tonnes of wheat for African and Asian countries.