Update from the Office of the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Istanbul, 8 May 2023
Exports:
As of today, the total exports of grain and foodstuffs under the Initiative is 29,798,277 metric tonnes. This includes 595,169 metric tonnes of grain shipped by vessels chartered by the World Food Programme in support of its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Yemen. In 2022, Ukraine supplied more than half of WFP’s global wheat grain procurement, as it was the case in 2021.
There are currently 14 vessels in the Ukrainian ports loading approximately 600,000 metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs. The Initiative also provides for the exports of fertilizer, including ammonia. There have been no such exports so far.
Exports by month:
| Departure date | Metric tonnes | Change |
| August 2022 | 1,573,290 | |
| September 2022 | 3,913,484 | 149% |
| October 2022 | 4,241,809 | 8% |
| November 2022 | 2,611,506 | -38% |
| December 2022 | 3,740,616 | 43% |
| January 2023 | 3,023,926 | -19% |
| February 2023 | 3,393,366 | 12% |
| March 2023 | 3,933,607 | 16% |
| April 2023 | 2,785,455 | -29% |
| May 2023 (to date) | 581,218 | |
| Grand Total | 29,798,277 |
Movements in the maritime humanitarian corridor (MHC):
Inbound: DENIZ M (IMO 9450703) heading to Odesa. DENIZ M is a vessel chartered by the UN’s World Food Programme that plans to load 30,000 metric tonnes of wheat for the humanitarian operation in Ethiopia.
Outbound: WADI ALKARM (IMO 9460760) heading to China, carrying 53,157 metric tonnes of sunflower meal and 10,027 metric tons of corn.
Vessels in transit to the MHC:
Outbound: NEW VENTURE (IMO 9597812) heading to Spain, carrying 47,800 metric tonnes of wheat, 9,500 metric tonnes of corn and 9,200 metric tonnes of barley.
Inbound: None
Inspections:
The JCC conducted no inspections yesterday and today.
Since 1 May, the JCC inspection rate has dropped significantly to an average of 2.9 completed inspections daily.
There are currently 26 vessels in Turkish waters loaded with 1,157,974 metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs. According to information shared by the Ukrainian delegation with the parties at the JCC, there are 62 vessels waiting to move to Ukrainian ports. Out of these, eight applications have been sent to the JCC to registrations.
Average of completed inspections per day:
| Inspection month | Inbound inspections | Outbound inspections | Total |
| August 2022 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 4.1 |
| September 2022 | 6.2 | 4.2 | 10.4 |
| October 2022 | 4.4 | 6.3 | 10.6 |
| November 2022 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| December 2022 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 6.5 |
| January 2023 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 5.6 |
| February 2023 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 5.3 |
| March 2023 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 5.6 |
| April 2023 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 4 |
| May 2023 (to date) | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.9 |
The Office of the UN Coordinator and the delegation of Türkiye are working closely with all sides with the aim to facilitate movements and inspections of inbound and outbound vessels within the framework of the Initiative and agreed procedures while discussions for the future of the Initiative continue.
More data on vessel movements and inspections can be found here: https://www.un.org/en/black-sea-grain-initiative/vessel-movements
For operational inquiries from vessels, please write to ops@jcc-secretariat.org
For media inquiries, please write to: media@jcc-secretariat.org