Seafarer shortage stands in way of Ukraine grain corridor

LONDON - Finding enough seafarers willing to sail ships stuck inside Ukraine's ports is set to pose a major challenge to the proposed grains corridor designed to ease an international food crisis.

Around 450 are left on the estimated 80 vessels remaining, mainly dry bulk ships that carry grain, but also other cargo vessels transporting other commodities, according to data from UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organisation and from shipping sources. "Until national navies assist the Ukrainian authorities to sweep these mines and create a safe corridor, seafarers will face significant personal risk sailing through these stretches of water," Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation , told Reuters.

One of the industry sources said it could be easier for fresh ships with crew to sail in and out of the Black Sea ports, provided there were berths, but much work needed to be done to clarify the situation. Before Russia's invasion, which it calls a"special military operation", began on Feb. 24, Ukraine and Russia accounted for around a third of global wheat exports.

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