A Russian drone strike on the Liberian-flagged Emil near Odesa raises concerns over Black Sea shipping security amid rising attacks.
Attacks targeting commercial maritime transportation in the Black Sea continue. The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier named Emil, with a deadweight tonnage of 175,000 DWT, was attacked by Russian drones (UAVs) in an incident that occurred approximately 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) off the coast of Odesa Port on Wednesday. As a result of the attack, damage occurred in the living quarters and on the bridge of the ship, while a fire was brought under control by the crew's intervention.
According to the information obtained, the ship was en route to Odesa Port using the maritime corridor in the Black Sea. Due to the damage caused by multiple UAVs targeting the vessel, its maneuverability was lost. Consequently, all 11 crew members on board were evacuated. During the evacuation operation, it was noted that the area was again targeted by drones, but there were no reported casualties or injuries in the incident.
In recent months, there has been a significant increase in attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Experts emphasize that trade vessels, particularly those using Ukraine's grain corridor, are operating under high risk due to drone and missile attacks. Recently, numerous commercial ships flying various flags, especially Liberia-flagged vessels, have been affected by these attacks.
The attack raises concerns about the security of international trade routes in the Black Sea, while companies and insurers operating in the maritime sector continue to closely monitor the risk levels in the region. The prolongation of conflicts in the area continues to exert pressure on global grain and commodity transportation.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
