THE secretary-general of the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has arrived in Odessa to inspect the 28,358-dwt Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Helga, one of the ships under the Black Sea Grain Initiative approved to export grain from Ukraine.

Secretary-general Kitack Lim was able to gain first-hand experience of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hear how ship safety and port management is being implemented, reported Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.

‘I am deeply appreciative to see the strong commitment of the seafarers to support the initiative. I am pleased that the designated maritime humanitarian corridor under the initiative is allowing seafarers to do their job and deliver vital foodstuffs,’ Mr. Lim said.

Mr Lim was the guest of Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative allows for the export of significant volumes of foodstuffs. The Joint Coordination Centre has been established in Istanbul, with representatives from Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Turkey under UN auspices, to coordinate the safe passage of ships of all flags.

As of September 1, the total tonnage of grain and other foodstuffs exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 1,677,396 tonnes. A total of 146 voyages (78 inbound and 68 outbound) have been enabled so far.

Source: https://www.seanews.com.tr/imo-chief-in-odessa-to-check-ukraine-grain-exports/194331/