KYIV: In a remarkable turn of events, the Ukrainian government revealed that a container ship successfully embarked on an unprecedented journey from the Black Sea port of Odesa to the capital city of Kiev on a newly established temporary shipping route.
This innovative move comes in response to the ongoing blockade of Ukrainian ports by Russia, a situation that has left cargo ships stranded since the commencement of Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Notably, Ukraine recently unveiled what it has termed a "humanitarian corridor" within the Black Sea. This corridor is aimed at liberating cargo ships ensnared in Ukrainian ports due to the Russian encroachment.
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While the international community awaited Moscow's response to this development, questions swirled regarding the potential safety concerns raised by shipping and insurance experts.
Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, took to social media platform Facebook to share this groundbreaking achievement.
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He disclosed that the maiden voyage along the new temporary route was successfully undertaken by the container ship named JOSEPH SCHULTE, bearing a Hong Kong flag.
The vessel had been berthed in the port since February 23, 2022 – a day before the fateful invasion that changed the geopolitical landscape.
Kubrakov elaborated that the JOSEPH SCHULTE had been carrying a substantial load, consisting of a staggering 2,114 containers with a cumulative weight exceeding 30,000 metric tonnes.
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As he expressed it, this new corridor primarily serves the urgent purpose of evacuating ships that found themselves trapped within Ukrainian ports – specifically Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi – at the very onset of the Russian Federation's aggressive move.
The world watches with bated breath as Ukraine takes a bold step forward, opening an unconventional pathway for trade and connectivity even in the midst of adversity.
As the global community observes the unfolding events, the success of this daring initiative remains an embodiment of Ukraine's resilience and determination to navigate through the challenging waters of conflict, paving the way for new opportunities and possibilities on the horizon.