Two commercial ships attacked in the Black Sea, resulting in one sailor's death. Ukraine urges stronger international protection for maritime safety.
Attacks on commercial vessels continue in the Black Sea: Two ships hit, one sailor killed.
Attacks on commercial vessels and Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea are ongoing without pause. Reports indicate that two commercial ships were struck in attacks carried out on August 6, resulting in the death of at least one sailor. The Ukrainian government condemned the attacks in strong terms and called on the international community to take stronger measures to protect commercial vessels and maritime corridors.
The deceased was identified as a Ukrainian sailor serving on the bulk carrier Mera Queen, which has a deadweight tonnage of 5,195. It was reported that the ship, operated by a Lebanon-based company and flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was in the Odessa port complex or nearby while loading Ukrainian wheat.
Odessa Regional Governor Oleg Kiper stated that a fire broke out following the attack on the hull of the ship, and three sailors were injured and taken to the hospital. The Port Authority announced that all crew members were safely evacuated and that teams were continuing their efforts to extinguish the fire and stabilize the 91-meter-long vessel.
At least 24 sailors have died since July.
According to data from the Ukrainian Ports Authority, at least 24 sailors have lost their lives in attacks since the beginning of July. During the same period, 67 port facilities, 35 vessels in port, and 22 commercial ships navigating the maritime corridor were attacked. In the early days of August, five separate attacks were reported on the ports, with three ships in the port and two more in the maritime corridor being targeted.
German bulk carrier also targeted.
Hours after the first attack, the German newspaper BILD reported that the German-built bulk carrier Emil, with a deadweight tonnage of 175,463 and operated by Hamburg-based Johann MK Blumenthal, was also struck approximately 21 nautical miles off Odessa.
It was noted that the bridge and living quarters of the ship, which was coming from China, sustained severe damage, and the 11 crew members on board were evacuated by Ukrainian teams. According to media reports, the ship was targeted by drones at least once more during the evacuation. Following the attack, a fire broke out on the vessel, and it reportedly lost its maneuverability.
Mutual statements from Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that operations against ships allegedly serving the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Black Sea are ongoing, announcing that two bulk carriers, claimed to be carrying military cargo, were struck by drones in the southern and eastern regions of Odessa during the night.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that a record number of 236 ships belonging to Russia were targeted in July. The statement noted that medium-range drones can now effectively target not only land supply lines but also maritime transport around the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Additionally, it was recorded that attacks conducted at ranges of 50 kilometers and above increased by 74% in July.
Calls for the protection of commercial vessels are increasing.
The rising attacks in the Black Sea are heightening concerns within the international maritime community. Turkish officials have called for a de-escalation of tensions and the assurance of commercial vessel safety following the recent deaths of Turkish sailors and damage to Turkish-affiliated ships.
Last week, Azerbaijani officials also requested more effective measures to enhance the safety of sailors and protect international maritime trade following the attacks in the Black Sea.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
