Insurance uncertainty poses challenge to Ukraine grain deal

Grain being loaded into a ship in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv before the Russian invasion. Photograph: Vincent Mundy/Reuters

Worries over insurance are the biggest obstacle to grain ships leaving Ukraine’s Black Sea ports this week, exporters say.

Questions remain over whether insurance companies will be willing to insure the vessels as they navigate the mined waters, while buyers are hesitant to make new orders given the risk of Russian attacks.