Drone attacks near Turkey's shores escalate risks for vessels, affecting insurance and maritime security in the Black Sea region.
Increased drone attacks on commercial vessels are raising significant risks for maritime trade near Turkey's shores in the Black Sea. Maritime law expert Attorney Selçuk Esenyel emphasized that this rise in attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) is not coincidental, highlighting the growing insurance, freight, and environmental risks involved.
During an appearance on EKOTÜRK TV, Esenyel noted that recent attacks have intensified near Turkey's territorial waters, suggesting a potential effort to draw Turkey into the ongoing conflict. Despite increasing pressure from developments on the ground, Turkey has attempted to maintain neutrality since the war began.
Esenyel pointed out a significant uptick in attacks attributed to Ukraine, particularly targeting civilian commercial vessels, which exacerbates the economic and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis. He described the geographical distribution of these attacks as critical, with some incidents occurring as close as 40-50 nautical miles from Turkey's coast, including an attack on a commercial vessel near the Bosphorus entrance.
He argued that the justification for targeting 'ships carrying Russian oil' does not fully explain the situation, raising concerns about the motivations behind these attacks occurring so close to Turkey. Additionally, he discussed the regime of the Bosphorus, noting that the Montreux Convention allows for the free passage of commercial vessels even during wartime, which provides Turkey with maneuverability but may also increase external pressures challenging its neutrality.
Esenyel highlighted the rising costs of maritime trade due to increased risks, with insurers showing reluctance to cover the Black Sea, leading to higher premiums and extended transit times. He also emphasized the environmental and humanitarian risks associated with targeting fuel-carrying tankers, noting that the crew members are civilians, not military personnel.
The program concluded with Esenyel sharing data on the Turkish maritime sector, indicating that the Turkish-owned fleet ranks 10th globally by tonnage, with an average age of 22-23 years compared to the global average of 16-17 years.
Source: www.denizhaber.com
