Russia claims to have hit two commercial vessels near Odesa; Ukraine confirms one sailor dead and three injured from the MERA QUEEN.
Russia announced that it struck two commercial vessels in the Odesa region; Ukraine: 1 sailor killed.
The Liberian-flagged Capesize bulk carrier EMIL was hit approximately 21 nautical miles off the coast of Odesa; the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MERA QUEEN sustained damage in a drone attack within or near the Odesa port complex. According to Ukrainian authorities, one sailor was killed on the MERA QUEEN, and three others were injured; the 11-member crew of the EMIL was evacuated. While Russia stated that it struck two vessels at the same time and in the same area, it did not provide public evidence regarding the claim that the ships were carrying military cargo.
The risk to commercial maritime transportation in the Black Sea rose again following the clarification of details regarding two new incidents that occurred on the evening of August 5, which became clear on August 7. The EMIL, linked to Hamburg-based Johann M.K. Blumenthal, was hit multiple times by drones approximately 21 nautical miles off Odesa. It was reported that the approximately 292-meter-long vessel, with a carrying capacity of over 175,000 dwt, sustained damage to its bridge and living quarters, caught fire, and some technical systems were rendered inoperative.
The 11-member crew on the EMIL was evacuated, and initial reports indicated that there were no injuries. German and Ukrainian sources claimed that the vessel was attacked again during the evacuation; this detail has not been confirmed by an independent technical report. It is reported that the vessel was unable to maneuver under its own power following the attack.
Casualty on the MERA QUEEN.
The Ukrainian Ports Authority stated that the 5,195 dwt MERA QUEEN was loaded with wheat, was struck in its hull, and caught fire. According to the Ukrainian authorities' toll, a Ukrainian sailor was killed, and three crew members were injured. The remaining personnel were evacuated; as of 06:00 on August 6, the vessel was moored at a dock, and efforts to contain the fire and stabilize the situation were ongoing.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that two bulk carriers were struck by Russian attack drones in the south and east of Odesa during the same time frame; however, the names of the vessels were not disclosed in the statement. The timing, region, and number of vessels mentioned in the Russian statement overlap with the incidents reported for the EMIL and MERA QUEEN, while the name matching is based on German, Ukrainian, and maritime sources. The ministry claimed that the vessels were carrying military cargo for the Ukrainian army; however, no bills of lading, cargo manifests, photographs, or records of independent inspections regarding the nature of the cargo were shared. The Ukrainian side's statement that the MERA QUEEN was carrying wheat was also not supported by publicly available shipping documents.
Maritime impact: The EMIL incident demonstrates that a large bulk carrier sailing approximately 21 nautical miles off Odesa can also be a direct target. The alleged continuation of the attack during the crew's evacuation operation poses serious consequences for the safety of rescue units; the vessel's incapacitation could lead to significant ramifications in terms of wreckage, environmental pollution, general average, and war risk insurance.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
