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A United Nations (UN) representative declared that urgent steps are needed to relieve a backlog of 150 ships involved in a deal that allows Ukraine to export grain from ports in the Black Sea, reports Reuters.
The comments come from Kiev that accuses Russia of blocking full implementation of the agreement, which was brokered by the UN and Turkey in July to ease a global food crisis.
Russia first threatened to pull out over its own complaints and then withdrew from the accord.
Vessels carrying grains and other foodstuffs to and from Ukrainian ports must be inspected by teams organised by the four-party Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) at anchorages in Turkey.
"There are currently over 150 vessels waiting around Istanbul to move, and these delays have the potential to cause disruptions to the supply chain and port operations," said UN representative Ismini Palla.
Ms Palla declared the four-party JCC recently increased the number of inspection teams to five.
The four parties to the deal, Russia, Ukraine, and brokers Turkey and the UN, are currently negotiating a possible extension and expansion beyond its November 19 deadline.
"The UN convenes the parties daily and has urged full and good faith participation in the deal and the need for additional urgent measures to be taken so the supply chain does not get disrupted and the initiative continues to deliver more and much-needed food to the world," said Ms Palla.
The grains-export deal allowed Ukraine to resume grain exports from three ports that had been closed since the Russian invasion.
So far, Ukraine has exported 8.5 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs aboard 379 outbound voyages under the deal.
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