Frequently Asked Questions
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was launched in Istanbul by the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations on 22 July 2022. Through this Initiative, a mechanism was established for the safe export of grain, related foodstuffs and fertilizer, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian ports to global markets.
The purpose of the Initiative was to contribute to the prevention of global hunger, to reduce and address global food insecurity, and to ensure the safety of merchant ships delivering grain and foodstuffs.
To facilitate the implementation of their Initiative, the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) was set up in Istanbul on 27 July 2022, under the auspices of the United Nations, comprised of senior representatives of Türkiye, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations.
The initial agreement ran for 120 days starting from 22 July and expired on 17 July 2023 following two renewals in November 2022 and in March 2023. During this period over 32 million metric tons of grain and food products were exported, including more than 725,000 metric tons of wheat shipped under the World Food Programme to support its humanitarian operations in hunger-struck spots around the world.
Crops from Ukraine are sold around the world. Some of the food exported under the Initiative was sent to countries experiencing food insecurity. Any shipment purchased by the World Food Programme went directly to people in need. Exports to any country, however, helped to calm markets and limited food price inflation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the implementation of the Initiative helped reduce global food prices and cereal prices.
The Joint Coordination Centre’s responsibility was to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels carrying grain, foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, in and out of three Ukrainian ports - Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. The JCC monitored the movement of commercial vessels to ensure compliance with the procedures communicated to the vessels.
The JCC was also responsible for inspections of inbound and outbound vessels to ensure that there was no unauthorized cargo or crew. The JCC publicly reported on shipments and movements of ships facilitated under the Initiative.
A joint inspection team from Türkiye, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations conducted inspections on behalf of the Joint Coordination Centre on board the vessel to check that cargo and crew was consistent with information that the JCC received and in line with the Initiative.
The JCC only focused on the export of food and fertilizers, including ammonia, coming from Ukraine from the three Ukrainian ports. It did not facilitate exports of non-food items not included in the Initiative.
The Joint Coordination Centre was based in Istanbul and it consisted of senior representatives from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations. Türkiye was the host of the JCC and facilitated discussions along with the UN in the JCC. The UN served as the secretariat.
The Joint Coordination Centre agreed to a route through the Black Sea that received the protections of the Initiative.
Vessels authorized to move in the corridor by the JCC were required to remain in the corridor or in defined holding areas off the Ukrainian and Turkish coastlines.
Shipping was monitored by the JCC using terrestrial and satellite means. Through public navigational announcements, other shipping in the area were informed of the establishment of the maritime humanitarian corridor.
The shipping companies decided on the movement of their vessels based on commercial activity and procedures. The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul authorized the movement of vessels in and out of the Black Sea based on the requests it received from the Ukrainian port authorities.
JCC shipping procedures included the security arrangements for the safe passage of commercial vessels and other civilian vessels engaged in the Initiative, including for emergency and medical response. The JCC was responsible for monitoring and tracking the vessel’s route from the three Ukrainian ports to Istanbul anchorage area and back and was responsible for addressing any incidents that may have occurred.
This was a matter for the shipping company to arrange. The JCC did not inspect or evaluate ships for compliance with international regulatory obligations, including the requirements for insurance under various international treaties. The JCC was only tasked with confirming the absence of prohibited cargoes or persons aboard vessels transiting the maritime humanitarian corridor.
There was no fee incurred to the shipping companies for the facilitation of their movements under the purview of the JCC.
Negotiations are underway and it is for the parties to decide on a new agreement.