Black Sea Crisis: Drone Attacks Force Shipping Pause
Forty-five strikes in October left 31 sailors dead or missing, prompting major carriers to halt operations in the region.
By Sakura Novak ·
Commercial traffic in the Black Sea has nearly stopped after a wave of drone attacks killed or left missing at least 31 seafarers. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has expanded to this critical shipping corridor, forcing carriers to withdraw fleets and increasing the risk for crews from multiple nations.
Maritime analysts report that nearly 50 commercial vessels were attacked in October. Data from the risk firm Ambrey indicates more than 500 attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov this year. Ambrey attributes 40 of the 45 strikes recorded in October to Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defence acknowledged hitting dozens of ships, claiming the targets supported the Ukrainian military.
The deadliest incident involved the cargo ship HS Dignity, struck by a sea drone just after 1:30 a.m. on October 13. The 123-meter vessel began to sink in heavy swells. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh, 42, ordered the 16 Syrian and Egyptian crew members to abandon ship. A second drone rammed the vessel before lifeboats could be fully launched. Five crew members survived; 11 remain missing.
Among the missing is Hamza Suleiman, an 18-year-old Syrian on his first voyage. His father, Basel, said his son called him on the night of October 12, stating they were in Bulgarian waters. Suleiman had previously survived an attack on the Alfa Watan on October 6, which left ten crew members, mostly Syrian, unaccounted for. Mamdouh said he last saw Suleiman wearing a life jacket, a detail that offers some hope to the family.
Attacks have concentrated in the western Black Sea, including waters off NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. On Friday, a Comoros-flagged ship was hit by drones near Romanian territorial waters. One of its 13 crew members, including Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis, has been recovered, and three remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the strike.
NATO has responded by deploying more patrol boats and radar to improve maritime security. Shipping companies are scaling back operations in response to the danger. Turkey-based ED Shipping has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels. Chief financial officer Demre İşcen said the company is losing millions of dollars each month due to the pause.
ED Shipping's vessel Circon was hit in the Sea of Azov on June 5, killing two crew members. Ukraine said the ship carried stolen grain, military cargo, and fuel. İşcen disputed this, noting the ship was heading to load Russian grain. The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea.
Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in recent attacks. He noted that many sailors feel compelled to take these jobs to earn a living. Mamdouh and his surviving crewmates are currently waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to return home. Mamdouh said he will not return to the Black Sea.
