While attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea are increasing due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the security risk on civilian maritime transportation is
While attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea are increasing due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the security risk on civilian maritime transportation is growing.
The recent attacks carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the region are not limited to military targets only, but have also begun to affect commercial ships and port infrastructure. In the report prepared by the Turkish Shipowners Association, it was stated that attacks and damage to commercial ships increased in the Black Sea, Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov in the 2022-2026 period.
Turkish-owned and Turkish-flagged ships were also affected by the attacks in the region. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously announced that the Turkish-owned civilian ships named Yaşar and Nadezhda, which left the Novorossiysk Port, were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles and some personnel were injured.
Attacks in the Black Sea are especially concentrated in maritime traffic around Russia's Novorossiysk Port and Ukrainian ports. While some ship operators are re-evaluating their voyage plans due to attacks in the region, there is an increase in insurance, security and operation costs.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also condemned the attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, calling for civilian maritime transport not to be the target of conflicts and for the safety of seafarers to be protected.
While Turkey called on the parties to ensure the safe navigation of commercial ships in the Black Sea, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, stated that attacks on commercial ships should be stopped.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
