Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on September 19 that one of two bulk carriers has left the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Chornomorsk with 3 tons of wheat in the first major test of Kyiv's new scheme to encourage grain exports from its seaports.
Kyiv announced "temporary corridors" primarily from Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenniy to skirt a de facto Russian blockade for civilian vessels prepared to accept the risk.
Kubrakov noted in his post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the departing Resilient Africa was "one of two vessels that entered the port of Chornomorsk last week through a temporary corridor for civilian vessels established by the Ukrainian Navy."
Earlier reports said two carriers were loading some 20,000 tons of wheat with plans to transport it to Africa and Asia.
Kubrakov added that "another vessel is in the port loaded with Ukrainian wheat for Egypt."
The Marine Traffic website was reporting after noon on September 19 that the Resilient Africa was under way about 10 kilometers off Ukraine's Black Sea coast, with Israel as its reported destination.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has included a naval blockade that has contributed to a global food crisis.
Two months ago, Russia shrugged off international pressure to extend a deal negotiated with UN and Turkish mediation allowing for agricultural exports to reach world markets.
The Ukrainian Navy announced its "temporary corridors" for shipping despite "a military and mortal danger from the Russia Federation" less than a month later.
The European Union last week opted not to renew a ban on Ukrainian food bound for nearby countries complaining of a glut of agricultural products from war-torn Ukraine, ratcheting up tensions with EU members Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.