Two cargo ships, general cargo ship RESILIENT AFRICA, and bulk carrier AROYAT, entered Ukrainian waters on Sep 16, thus breaking Russian blockade in opposite direction – sailing to, not from Ukrainian ports. As of 1510 UTC Sep 16, AROYAT already entered Chornomorsk port, while RESILIENT AFRICA looks like she’s heading for Odessa. Both ships are to be loaded with grain, RESILIENT AFRICA arrived from Constanta, ARYAT arrived from Istanbul. Ships’ crews include citizen of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ukraine.
Both ships are operated by Turkish companies and probably, that’s why they might be considered safe from Russian attacks – Kremlin has to be very careful with Turkey, considering dependence of Russian Black sea trade on Turkey’s attitude towards Russia. Turkey might seriously impede, or completely stop, all Russian Black sea merchant marine traffic, something Kremlin just can’t afford.
Bulk carrier AROYAT, IMO 9151395, dwt 18315, built 1997, flag Palau, manager KIVA MARINE LTD-MAI, Istanbul, insurer The West of England Shipowners.
General cargo ship RESILIENT AFRICA, IMO 9257204, dwt 3275, built 2001, flag Palau, manager HDR DENIZCILIK NAKLIYAT, Istanbul.
