France donates ship to Ukraine to support grain export

France has handed over a second pilot ship to Ukraine, which will assist the country in exporting domestically grown grain. 

This was announced by the French Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, Rubryka reports.

"The second pilot ship has been transferred to support Ukraine, as promised," said the French minister.

According to him, the vessel set sail from Dunkirk and will help export grains. He believes this decision will enable other countries to access essential food products.

"Our commitment is total, and our solidarity will not cease," the minister wrote on X (Twitter).

What we know about Ukraine's "humanitarian corridor" in the Black Sea

In August, Ukraine unveiled a "humanitarian corridor" for ships heading to African and Asian markets to bypass Russia's effective blockade in the Black Sea after Moscow rejected an agreement guaranteeing exports during the war.

The Ukrainian Naval Forces reported opening a temporary corridor that can be used by all civilian vessels, including those in the ports of the Odesa region.

The Ukrainian government has also established a new mechanism for insuring ships against war risks, significantly reducing insurance premiums for carriers involved in maritime exports and imports to and from Ukraine.

As of early December, Ukraine has exported nearly 700,000 tons of grain, mainly to European and African countries, through the temporary maritime export corridor.