Well, just for a moment it was looking good.  Well, if not good, at least a bit better.  Agreement had been reached between Ukraine and the Russian Federation (RF) under the auspices of Turkey as gate-keeper of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles under the Montreux Convention, for a re-start to the export of grain from 3 Ukrainian ports, but most notably, Odessa.  The lack of this grain is driving countries into food poverty, and the continuation of grain shipping is, literally,  vital, especially in the Horn of Africa, where famine looms, and in Egypt.  The world's reliance on Ukraine as a bread basket is massive.  Getting grain cargoes out of Ukraine will not  be without risk, from mines, or from intervention by Russian warships; war is never without risk.  But at least we had some form of agreement.

Which makes Russia's missile attack within 24 hours of the agreement, on the port facilities of Odessa a new high water mark of brutal and violent cynicism, even by Russian standards. We learned today that there is every chance that grain exports will re-start soon, which pays tribute to the remarkable resilience of Ukraine, but this vital work needs to be supported and facilitated and made as safe as is reasonable in the circumstances. Ships, long held in Ukrainian ports since the start of the war, will need technical and personnel support. Safe channels will need to be charted and marked, physically or virtually.  Aids to navigation must have added resilience.   So I'm asking maritime colleagues to prod their organisations, Associations, Institutes, Chambers of Shipping and Government departments to help make this happen.  If we do not, then very many people, people without number, will starve.  We can help prevent that. 

James Taylor OBE FRIN

IAIN delegate to IMO & RIN Council member