Kazakhstan's minister of industry and infrastructure released a statement concerning the detained Russian-rented ship ‘Zhibek Zholy’ being investigated at a port in Turkey, QazMonitor reports, citing Atameken Business.
On July 4, Qazmonitor reported on the detainment of a dry cargo ship allegedly carrying Ukrainian grain under the Russian flag at Karasu Port on Sunday following Ukraine’s request. The vessel is owned by the national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).
The Kazakh company has already sent a request to the Russian tenant of the ‘Zhibek Zholy’, demanding to clarify the origin of the grain, transported from Berdyansk to Turkey.
Today, the minister of industry and infrastructure Kairbek Uskenbayev stated that in the case a violation of international law by the Russian company is confirmed, the lease agreement will be terminated and the vessel will be recalled.
Sputnik reported, citing Bloomberg News Agency, that Turkey has launched an investigation into the origin of the grain being transported. The 'Zhibek Zholy' has yet to dock at the port or unload the cargo aboard.
One source stated that Turkish authorities are trying to cautiously resolve the situation while they work on possible negotiations involving the UN, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine on the export of food from Ukraine via the Black Sea. There is a possibility of talks beginning as early as next week.
