UNITED NATIONS

A UN-led Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul overseeing shipments agreed to authorize new vessels bound for Ukraine to participate in the grain deal for the first time since May 4, a spokesman said on Thursday.

Three new inbound vessels were approved heading to Odessa and Chornomorsk ports, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.

"There are three other ships on their outbound journey, two of which are preparing for inspection in Istanbul and one that has been stranded in the Ukrainian ports since March 2022 is now departing Ukraine under the terms of the initiative," he added.

"While we welcome this partial resumption of inbound movement activity, we call on the parties to ensure that the authorization of new vessels is done for all ports to make use of capacity and meet industry demands."

The Ukraine Black Sea grain deal has been extended for two more months until July 18.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine initially signed the agreement in Istanbul last July to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were halted after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.