Ukrainian grain ship temporarily halts Bosphorus traffic in Istanbul after running aground

According to officials, a cargo ship loaded with Ukrainian peas experienced a rudder failure and ran aground in Istanbul on Monday. This incident temporarily halted traffic in the Bosphorus.

A cargo vessel flying the Palau flag, known as MKK-1, was transporting a whopping 13,000 tonnes of peas from Ukraine. This shipment was made possible by a UN-backed agreement that Turkey played a key role in brokering between Moscow and Kyiv back in July.

According to the Istanbul governor’s office, a ship ran aground on the Asian side of Istanbul early on Monday, leading to the suspension of traffic in both directions along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

Media reports said it was refloated with the help of Turkish tugboats a few hours later.

Marine traffic websites showed the ship slowly moving through the Bosphorus later on Monday.

The narrow Istanbul strait witnesses numerous accidents that briefly suspend traffic and require intervention from Turkish coast guards.

The July agreement has allowed Ukraine to export more than 17 million tons of grain and other foodstuffs from three ports, helping reduce a spike in global food prices caused by Russia’s invasion.

The deal was extended for 120 more days in mid-November.