Black Sea Drone Strikes Kill 31 Sailors as Shipping Industry Stalls

Commercial shipping in the Black Sea has effectively stopped as drone attacks on cargo vessels have killed or left missing at least 31 seafarers this month. The strikes have forced major operators to pause operations, disrupting a key corridor for grain and military cargo. Maritime data indicates a sharp increase in hostilities, with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine expanding into new maritime zones.

Maritime risk firm Ambrey recorded more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year. The firm attributes 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October to Russia. Moscow’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged striking dozens of ships this month, stating that the targeted vessels supported Ukraine’s military efforts. Ukraine countered that some ships carried stolen grain, fuel, and military cargo.

The disruption has hit shipping companies hard. Demre İşcen, chief financial officer of Turkey-based ED Shipping, stated the company is losing millions of dollars each month. ED Shipping has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels. The company’s ship Circon was struck on June 5 in the Sea of Azov, killing two crew members. İşcen disputed Ukraine’s claim that the vessel carried stolen grain, noting it was heading to load Russian grain.

The HS Dignity, a 123-meter cargo ship, was hit by a sea drone on Oct. 13 while sailing from Algeria to Romania to load grain. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh, 42, described the chaos as the vessel sank. He said a drone-controlled boat rammed the ship while the crew was launching lifeboats. Mamdouh is one of five survivors from the 16-person crew. Eleven crew members remain missing, including 18-year-old Hamza Suleiman, who was on his first voyage.

Many recent attacks occurred in the western Black Sea, off the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. On Friday, a search-and-rescue operation was underway after a Comoros-flagged ship was hit by drones outside Romanian waters. One body from its 13-person crew has been recovered, and three remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the strike.

Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed. He noted that many workers take these jobs out of economic necessity. The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea. Mamdouh and the other four survivors are waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to return home.

Mamdouh said he signaled to the vessel Azov Concord with his phone’s flashlight after lying in a life raft for four hours. He stated he will not return to the Black Sea. The surviving crew members are currently in Bulgaria while they arrange their travel.