Turkey Proposes Expanded Black Sea Grain Initiative | Mariner News

Ankara has formally proposed a draft peace plan, including an expanded Black Sea Grain Initiative, to Moscow and Kyiv, aiming to halt escalating maritime strikes and alleviate pressure on Turkish shipping interests.

The Turkish government forwarded the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to both belligerents, according to a Turkish diplomat speaking to AFP. This diplomatic push follows an earlier, unsuccessful call from Ankara in early August for a pause on merchant vessel strikes in the Black Sea.

The timing of the proposal is significant, as intense strikes were reported on Wednesday, suggesting the recommendation has not yet been adopted by either side. This ongoing volatility underscores the immediate operational risks for vessels transiting the region, despite diplomatic efforts.

Turkey’s motivation stems from its shipping companies’ involvement in both Russian and Ukrainian trade routes, with Turkish ships and seafarers disproportionately affected by the increasing attacks. Ukraine’s “middle strike” drone program has enabled mass attacks on Russian-linked civilian vessels this year, escalating the conflict beyond the intermittent strikes on civilian shipping previously conducted by Russia.

Building on the structure of the original Black Sea Grain Initiative, which lasted from late 2022 to mid-2023 before Russia’s unilateral withdrawal, the expanded corridor aims to offer concessions to both Russia and Ukraine. The broader scope implied by an “expanded” initiative suggests potential implications for increased commodity flows beyond just Ukrainian grain, impacting global dry bulk markets should an agreement materialize.