OREANDA-NEWS  Up to 70 ships are queuing in the area of the Sulinsky Canal on the Danube, they are waiting for access to the ports of Ukraine to load grain for its further export. Such data is provided by the Reuters news agency, referring to traders and analysts.

"The reason for the long delays is the lack of pilots and the priority given to other cargoes," the publication says.

Grain competes with high-priority cargoes such as fuel, which slows down its exports. Frequent air alarms are also an obstacle, which cause all operations at ports to be suspended.

Each day of delay can cost up to 8 thousand dollars, according to ASAP Agri consulting company. The situation may be complicated in the near future by the deterioration of weather conditions.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had attacked the port of Izmail in the Odessa region of Ukraine. The port infrastructure facilities that were used to unload military cargo, as well as fuel tanks, were hit.