Join our crew and become one of the 110,236 members that receive our newsletter.

First ship arrives in Istanbul, Turkey after passing through Ukraine corridor.

First ship arrives in Istanbul, Turkey after passing through Ukraine corridor. Photo courtesy Directorate General of Coastal Safety

First Ship to Use Ukraine’s Corridor Arrives in Istanbul

Reuters
Total Views: 1857
August 18, 2023
Reuters

ISTANBUL, Aug 18 (Reuters) – The first vessel that used Ukraine’s Black Sea corridor is crossing through Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait, a Reuters witness said on Friday.

The Hong-Kong-flagged Joseph Schulte container ship that left the Russian-blocked Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa earlier this week had been in the port since Feb. 23, 2022, the day before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine last week announced a “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea to release cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports after the termination of the main grain exports deal last month.

Moscow has not indicated whether it would respect the shipping corridor, and shipping and insurance sources have expressed concerns about safety.

Ukraine said the corridor will be primarily used to evacuate ships that were stuck in Ukrainian ports.

Local broadcasters have said the ship will anchor at Ambarli port in the south of Istanbul.

(Reporting by Murad Sezer; Editing by Kim Coghill and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,236 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.