A UN-backed grain deal that has enabled Ukraine to export millions of tonnes of wheat is under strain as a surge in the number of cargo ships has caused a backlog aiming to cross the Black Sea.
The number of vessels waiting to sail to or from Ukrainian ports reached a record high of 120 at the end of last week, prompting growing frustration in Kyiv and accusations of stalling tactics by Moscow at a time when Russia is struggling to repel Ukraine’s counteroffensive in occupied regions.
The time that ships are having to wait for inspections at a monitoring centre in Istanbul has risen to between 10 and 15 days since mid-September, according to grain research firm SovEcon, up from five to six days in the first six weeks of the deal. The delays have prompted calls for more inspectors to be added to meet demand from the large number of craft using the route.