UGA welcomes the agreement between Ukraine and the USA to ensure free commercial navigation in the Black Sea

The Ukrainian Grain Association welcomes the agreement between the US and Ukraine to restore free navigation in the Black Sea. From the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, the UGA has been calling on the international community to restore free navigation in the Black Sea’s international waters to ensure a stable supply of food to countries that need it.

The work of the Ukrainian sea corridor has significantly improved the situation with food trade from Ukrainian ports, particularly grain. Restoration of free navigation in the international waters of the Black Sea will reduce risks for shipowners and thus reduce the cost of freight and insurance of ships and cargo. Reducing the cost of export logistics will allow Ukrainian producers to get a better price for their products, and consumers around the world will be able to buy affordable grain.

At the same time, the UGA warns against rash decisions and the introduction of any mechanisms that would impede or slow down shipping in the Black Sea. The introduction of unnecessary mechanisms that impede navigation will not only negate the principle of free navigation, but will also destabilize the world’s food security and turn food into a weapon again.