Ukraine Formally Closes Four Seaports Under Russian Control

In a statement released on May 2, Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry said the country has closed the four seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson "until Ukraine regains control” over them.
The ministry explained that the closures have been caused by the “inability to service ships and passengers, cargo, transport, and other related economic activities so as to ensure an adequate level of shipping safety and compliance with international treaties”.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February, Russian forces had captured or blockaded some ports, forcing all Ukrakina seaports to indefinitely halt their activities.
Ukraine is a major exporter of agricultural commodities including grains and vegetable oils. Prior to the conflict, most of Ukraine’s exports were shipped via sea but have since been rerouted to export by train or by its Danube river ports.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine could lose tens of millions of tons of grain due to the Russian-controlled Black Sea shipping lanes...
Full Story »May 2 10:00 AM, UB Newswires