The Ministry of Transport warns commercial vessels of drifting unmanned ships in the Black Sea, urging maximum caution for navigation safety.
Alarm for drifting ships in the Black Sea: Critical warning for commercial vessels
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has reported that ships drifting uncontrollably and left unmanned in the Black Sea due to the Russia-Ukraine war pose a serious navigation safety risk. Captains of commercial vessels have been urged to exercise maximum caution and vigilance in the region.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs issued an important maritime safety warning for commercial vessels navigating in the Black Sea.
In a notice dated September 7, 2026, the General Directorate indicated that some commercial vessels have been left unmanned and are drifting uncontrollably due to being targeted by armed elements during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. It was reported that these vessels have drifted into Turkish territorial waters, with some running aground or sinking.
Serious risk for navigation safety
The General Directorate emphasized that ships drifting uncontrollably and left unmanned pose a serious danger to other vessels navigating in the Black Sea.
The statement mentioned that efforts are being made to take necessary measures to remove the identified unmanned vessels from their locations or to prevent them from drifting aimlessly.
In this context, captains and relevant personnel of vessels in the Black Sea or heading to the Black Sea have been requested to be alerted to these dangers through agents or pilot captains on board.
Three ships cited as examples
The General Directorate cited three vessels in relation to recent incidents.
Accordingly, the vessel named OMSKIY 107 ran aground on August 30, 2026, at 15:20 near Şile Alacalı Beach. It was reported that the vessel named GOLDEN SAPLING ran aground off Samsun Alaçam on July 25, 2026.
Another vessel, SVETOSLAVA, sank without personnel on board at 19:50 on September 3, 2026, approximately 10 nautical miles north of Ordu Yason Cape, despite all attempts to tow it.
Call for maximum vigilance for vessels
The General Directorate requested that vessels navigating in the Black Sea maintain maximum vigilance against these floating hazards.
Additionally, it was stated that if any vessel or other floating objects are found to be out of control or in a blackout situation during navigation, their approximate position information should be reported to the relevant authorities without delay.
Notifications should be made through the Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center (AAKKM), Turkish Radio, Vessel Traffic Services (GTH), or the Coast Guard Command.
Current navigation announcements from the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs also warn vessels about the navigation hazards posed by unmanned and semi-submerged floating objects in the Black Sea. In September, a navigation announcement was published regarding the detection of a drifting container in the Black Sea.
Drifting and unmanned vessels, which add a new dimension to security risks in the Black Sea due to the war, have become a navigation safety element that needs to be closely monitored, especially in terms of heavy commercial traffic.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
