Grain ships sail despite Russia pullout from deal

KYIV: Ships brought grain from Ukrainian ports on Monday, suggesting Moscow had stopped short of reimposing a blockade that might have caused world hunger.
International officials had feared that Moscow would reimpose a blockade on Ukrainian grain, after Russia announced on Saturday that it was suspending its role in the UN-backed programme that escorts cargo ships through the Black Sea. “Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow,” tweeted Amir Abdullah, the UN official who coordinates the programme. Shortly afterwards, Ukraine confirmed that 12 ships had set sail.
The 3,54,500 tonnes of grain they carried was the most in a day since the programme began, suggesting a backlog was being cleared after exports were interrupted on Sunday. But shipments could be interrupted again, not least if insurers stop underwriting them. Chris McGill, head of cargo at Lloyd’s of London insurer Ascot, told Reuters his company was pausing writing new cover for shipments from Monday “until we better understand the situation”. Insurance previously issued “still stands”, he said. Most policies must be renewed on a seven-day basis.