TAB warns members to steer clear of Russian and Ukrainian ports due to escalating security threats in the Black Sea region.
Critical Warning from the Turkish Shipowners' Association: Do Not Go to Russian and Ukrainian Ports if the Risk is High
The Turkish Shipowners' Association (TAB) has published an important advisory circular to its members due to the increasingly severe security risks in the Black Sea.
The association stated that the risk level in the Black Sea has reached an unacceptable level in recent months, advising against making voyages to Russian and Ukrainian ports and recommending that cargo connections be reassessed with a 'wait-and-see' approach.
The circular noted that following the Russia-Ukraine war, the Black Sea has become one of the high-risk operational areas for international trade vessels, highlighting that approximately 136 commercial ships have been attacked in Russian and Ukrainian ports and in the Black Sea in recent months.
'Freedom of Navigation Under Threat'
Since the beginning of the conflict, numerous commercial vessels have sustained damage due to mines, cruise and ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surface drones (SIDA), and various munitions, with some ships sinking and many crew members losing their lives or being injured.
Additionally, it was pointed out that attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea have continued in the last 24 hours, and ships are still being targeted, emphasizing that the security risk in the region has not decreased but rather has increased.
The circular also stated that the developments are not only a regional security issue but also pose a serious threat to international maritime trade and the freedom of navigation.
The circular included the following statements:
In this context, the Turkish Shipowners' Association evaluates that, as emphasized at the latest summit of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the ability of ships to navigate freely and safely in international waters under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is one of the cornerstones of global trade.
The threat to freedom of navigation posed by geopolitical tensions directly affects not only the maritime sector but also global supply chains, energy security, and the world economy. In line with these assessments, the Turkish Shipowners' Association believes that all relevant organizations within the United Nations system, especially the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as all national and international competent authorities, must prioritize addressing the issue urgently to prevent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
Implementing concrete, deterrent, and results-oriented initiatives that will ensure the effective application of the fundamental principles of international law and the provisions of UNCLOS is of great importance for the safety of commercial vessels, crew members, and global maritime trade.
In this framework, the Turkish Shipowners' Association closely monitors developments regarding the safety of our members and our sector; it continues necessary consultations and coordination efforts with relevant national and international institutions and organizations to ensure that free trade in the Black Sea can be conducted safely.
Respectfully,
Turkish Shipowners' Association
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
