Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian Ports

Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports

1. The Parties to this Initiative are the Republic of Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine proposed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

2. This Initiative is based on agreements of parties of the International Convention for the Safe of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, (SOLAS), Regulations XI-2/1 1 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), Part B, paragraph 4.26;

3. The purpose of this Initiative is to facilitate the safe navigation for the export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia from the Ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny ("Ukrainian ports").

4. The Parties recognize the role of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in securing the discussions for this initiative and request his further assistance in its implementation, in the furtherance of the humanitarian mission of the United Nations and subject to its authorities and mandates.

5. To achieve the purposes of this Initiative, and to provide for the safe navigation of vessel carrying grain and foodstuffs, the Parties agree as follows:

Primary Aspects of the Initiative

A. This Initiative assumes that all Parties will provide maximum assurances regarding a safe and secure environment for all vessels engaged in this Initiative. Prior to operations commencing, a coordination structure will be established. A Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) shall be set up in Istanbul under the auspices of the United Nations and includes representatives of the Parties and the United Nations. The JCC shall conduct general oversight and coordination of this Initiative. Each Party and the United Nations will be represented in the JCC by one senior official and any agreed upon, required number of personnel.

B. Inspection teams will be set up in Türkiye. The inspection teams in Türkiye will consist of representatives from all Parties and the UN. Vessels will transit to and enter the Ukrainian ports in line with the JCC-approved schedule upon the vessels' inspection by an Inspection Team. The primary responsibility of the Inspection Teams will be to check for the absence of unauthorised cargoes and personnel on board vessels inbound to or outbound from the Ukrainian ports.

C. All activities in Ukrainian territorial waters will be under authority and responsibility of Ukraine.

The Parties will not undertake any attacks against merchant vessels and other civilian vessels and port facilities engaged in this Initiative.

Should demining be required, a minesweeper of another country, agreed by all Parties, shall sweep the approaches to the Ukrainian ports, as necessary.

D. Merchant vessels will be prior registered in the JCC, verifying their details and confirming their loading port, having liaised closely with port authorities. Vessels will be technically monitored for the duration of their passage. Vessels will proceed through the maritime humanitarian corridor, agreed by all Parties. The JCC will develop and disseminate a detailed operational and communications plan, including identification of safe harbours and medical relief options.

E. To prevent any provocations and incident, the movement of vessels transiting the maritime humanitarian corridor will be monitored by the Parties remotely. No military ships, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) may approach the maritime humanitarian corridor closer than a distance agreed by the ICC, without the authorization of the JCC, and after consultation with all Parties.

F. Should any suspicious activities, or non-compliance with the rules of this operation or emergencies occur on a vessel transiting the maritime humanitarian conidor, depending on its location, upon the request of a Party to the JCC and under international maritime law, the Parties will provide the required assistance to the crew or conduct an inspection against the security guarantees.

G. All merchant vessels taking part in this Initiative shall be subject to inspection conducted by an Inspection Team in the harbours determined by Türkiye at the entry/exit to/from the Turkish strait.

H. This initiative will remain in effect for 120 days from the date of signature by all Parties and can be extended automatically for the same period, unless one of the Parties notifies the other of the intent to terminate the initiative, or to modify it.

I. Nothing in this Initiative will be deemed as a waiver, express or implied, of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, and the Parties will ensure that the Initiative does not entail any liabilities for the United Nations

Done in Istanbul on the 22nd day of July, 2022

Signed:

For Ukraine:
signature Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure

For the Republic of Türkiye:
signature Hulusi Akar, Minister of National Defence

Witnessed:

For the United Nations:
signature Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General