Joint Coordination Centre for the Black Sea Grain Initiative

The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) facilitates the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to allow ships to safely export grain, other foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from Ukraine via a maritime humanitarian corridor.

※The JCC monitors the movement of commercial vessels export from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.

What is the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was launched in Istanbul by the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and United Nations on 22 July 2022. Through this initiative, a mechanism was established for the safe exports of grain, related foodstuffs and fertilizer, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian ports to global markets.

The purpose of the Initiative is to contribute to the prevention of global hunger, to reduce and address global food insecurity, and to ensure the safety of merchant ships delivering grain and foodstuffs.

To facilitate the implementation of their Initiative, a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) was set up in Istanbul on 27 July 2022, under the auspices of the United Nations, comprised of senior representatives of Türkiye, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations.

What is the role of the Joint Coordination Centre?

The Joint Coordination Centre’s responsibility is to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels carrying grain, foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, in and out of three Ukrainian ports - Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny (Pivdennyi). The JCC will monitor the movement of commercial vessels to ensure compliance with the procedures communicated to the vessels.

The JCC is also responsible for inspections of inbound and outbound vessels to ensure that there is not unauthorized cargo or crew. The JCC publicly reports on shipments and movements of ships facilitated under the Initiative.

Link to Joint Coordination Centre

https://www.un.org/en/black-sea-grain-initiative/background

How are inspections carried out?

A joint inspection team from Türkiye, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations conducts inspections on behalf of the Joint Coordination Centre on board the vessel to check that cargo and crew is consistent with information that the JCC received and in line with the Initiative.

Update on the Black Sea Grain Initiative reported 18th Jan. 2023

Over 1,300 voyages have been enabled so far by the Joint Coordination Centre. Currently, there are more than 100 vessels in Turkish territorial waters connected to the Initiative, 32 are waiting for inspection, while the rest have applied to participate in the Initiative. Since November, the JCC has been deploying three inspection teams daily. So far, this month, the teams conclude an average of 5.3 inspections per day. In the last two weeks, the average waiting time of vessels between application and inspection is 21 days.

Link to report of JCC Activities

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2023-01-18/note-correspondents-update-the-black-sea-grain-initiative

Who decides on movements of vessels?

The shipping companies decide on the movement of their vessels based on commercial activity and procedures. The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul authorizes the movement of vessels in and out of the Black Sea based on the requests it receives from the Ukrainian port authorities.

Link to latest vessel movement

https://www.un.org/en/black-sea-grain-initiative/vessel-movements