site.btaCrossing Bulgarian and Romanian Waters Could Be Alternative for Ships Carrying Ukrainian Grain

Crossing Bulgarian and Romanian territorial waters could become an alternative for ships carrying Ukrainian grain through international waters, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkiye Vasyl Bodnar told Ukrainian media.

He added that such an option is feasible only if the insurance costs for such trips are relatively lo “It is important for us to have alternative options, and such an option could be for ships to pass through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria”, Bodnar said, thus commenting on Ukraine's possible actions if the deal that allows Ukraine to export grain across the Black Sea is terminated.

In Bodnar’s words, the only question that arises is regarding the insurances of the ships and their costs. He believes that the successful operation of a corridor through Bulgarian and Romanian territorial waters and the cost of transport depend on the existence of certain security guarantees. 

Cited by TASS, the Ukrainian Shipping magazine reports that Ukrainian companies are building new grain loading terminals on the Danube River, which is seen by local authorities and businesses as an alternative route in case the grain deal is cancelled.

The grain shipments from Ukraine are being made under an agreement signed between Turkiye, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the UN, providing a safe corridor for grain and food exports from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. A Joint Coordination Centre has been established in Istanbul to inspect the cargoes. Another extension of the agreement is uncertain because of Russia's objections.