Türkiye has proposed the creation of a new international mechanism to protect grain exports and civilian shipping in the Black Sea. The initiative developed by the Turkish Agricultural Diplomacy Group is intended to build on the experience of the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative while adapting it to current security and trade conditions. The need for a new framework has become more urgent amid attacks on commercial vessels, ports and grain terminals.
The proposed mechanism consists of seven key areas. These include a limited non-strike arrangement covering grain terminals, silos and storage facilities, a safe-navigation system for civilian vessels carrying food commodities and international coordination facilitated by Türkiye. A voluntary vessel registry is also proposed to verify the civilian status of participating ships, their cargoes and declared routes.
Another important element is war-risk insurance. Türkiye, international financial institutions and private insurance and reinsurance companies could jointly develop a financial protection mechanism for civilian agricultural shipping. The plan also calls for expanding alternative export capacity through Danube ports, railways and road connections via Romania and Bulgaria. The seventh component would establish an early-warning system using data from the FAO, World Food Programme and International Grains Council.
The initiative comes amid growing pressure on Ukraine's export logistics. According to figures cited by TTDG, Ukrainian grain exports between August 1 and 21 fell by around 69% year-on-year, while the diversion of cargoes to alternative routes resulted in a queue of approximately 80 vessels near the Sulina Canal. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also called for a permanent mechanism to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. However, the seven-point plan remains a diplomatic proposal and would require international agreement before it could become operational.