Ankara: The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain has set off from the port of Odessa. According to a statement released by the United Nations, a cargo ship under the flag of the West African country of Sierra Leone started its journey towards the Turkey with 26,000 tons of grain.

The ship is expected to reach Istanbul on Tuesday, where it will be inspected, before being allowed to proceed to Lebanon, the ministry said.

Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for Ukraine — one of the world’s key breadbaskets — to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russia’s invasion.

The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizers.

The ministry statement said other ships would also depart from Ukraine’s ports through the safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul on July 22, but did not provide further details.