Turkish cargo ship ATA 2 was damaged by Russian drones in the Black Sea, but all 13 crew members are safe. Repairs are planned in Turkey.
Attack on Turkish Armateur's Ship by UAV in the Black Sea: ATA 2 Sustains Heavy Damage
As attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea escalate once again, a general cargo ship belonging to a Turkish armateur has become the target of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ship sustained heavy damage in the attack, but it has been reported that all crew members are safe.
The Panama-flagged general cargo ship ATA 2, with a carrying capacity of 6,555 DWT, was attacked by three Russian UAVs after departing from Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port with a cargo of corn on Thursday. A large hole was created on the upper deck of the 2006-built vessel, while the living quarters and the bridge also suffered significant damage.
It was announced that the 13 crew members aboard the ship escaped the attack unharmed. Despite the damage, it was stated that ATA 2 maintained limited maneuverability with its backup manual control system and was proceeding towards Romania. The ship is planned to be taken for repairs in Turkey afterward.
Third Attack in 24 Hours
The attack on ATA 2 has been recorded as one of at least three attacks on commercial vessels serving Ukrainian ports within the last 24 hours.
Although the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the recent attacks on port infrastructure and vessels around Odesa and Mykolaiv were aimed at military cargo targets, it did not provide independent evidence to support these claims.
Security Call from Mariners
The recent attacks have provoked a strong reaction, particularly among Turkish and Azerbaijani sailors. Representatives of the Azerbaijani maritime union stated that seafarers should be fully informed about their routes and the risks of war, emphasizing that high wages can never replace the safety of sailors.
Turkish-Linked Ships Were Also Targeted in July
Throughout July, Turkish-linked commercial vessels were also subjected to consecutive attacks. At the beginning of the month, the captain of a ship named Atlas Bey lost his life, and later, the Turkish-owned ship Golden Leo sank following an attack, resulting in the deaths of the crew and a Ukrainian pilot.
CPC Oil Terminal Suspends Operations
In the eastern Black Sea, due to new UAV attacks, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) temporarily suspended tanker loadings at its oil terminal near Novorossiysk.
The Greek-controlled suezmax tanker Nissos Sifnos was hit near the cargo manifold during loading. The fire was extinguished with the intervention of the crew and support vessels, and it was reported that the ship maintained its balance and no environmental pollution occurred.
Another suezmax tanker, Marathi, was attacked while approaching the terminal.
Following the attacks, it was noted that at least five oil tankers changed their routes or went on standby, highlighting once again that the security risks in the Black Sea continue to directly affect energy exports in the region.
The CPC line, which carries a significant portion of Kazakhstan's oil exports via sea, has had to suspend its operations multiple times in recent years due to UAV attacks.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
