Black Sea Shipping Halted After 31 Seafarers Lost
Maritime analysts report nearly 50 commercial vessel attacks this month, forcing NATO to expand patrols and halting regional grain trade.
By Aiko Soto ·
At least 31 seafarers have been killed or are missing in the Black Sea this month, according to maritime data, as a surge in drone strikes brings commercial shipping to a near halt. The attacks have paralyzed a vital trade corridor, prompting NATO to deploy additional patrol boats and radar systems to secure the waters.
The disruption centers on the cargo ship HS Dignity, which was struck by a sea drone just after 1:30 a.m. on October 13. The vessel, a 123-meter ship, began to sink in heavy swells, forcing the captain to order the crew to abandon ship. The 16 crew members, who were Syrian and Egyptian nationals, scrambled into the water in life jackets. As they waited for rescue, a boat approached them in the darkness. The crew initially believed it was a rescue team, but realized it was uncontrolled and part of the attacking group. The drone rammed the sinking vessel, and chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh stated they did not have time to finish launching the lifeboats.
Mamdouh, 42, urged his colleagues to swim away from the ship and tried to keep the group together against strong winds and currents. He lay in a drifting life raft for four hours before the vessel Azov Concord located him. He is one of five survivors from the Dignity, while 11 crew members remain missing. Among the missing is Hamza Suleiman, an 18-year-old Syrian on his first voyage. His father, Basel, recalled a call from his son on October 12 saying, "Dad, we are in Bulgaria now." Suleiman had grown fearful after the Alfa Watan was struck on October 6, an attack that left ten crew members, mostly Syrian, unrecovered. Mamdouh told the father he last saw Suleiman wearing a life jacket.
Maritime risk firm Ambrey reports more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov this year. The firm believes Russia was responsible for 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October. Russia's Ministry of Defence has acknowledged striking dozens of ships this month, stating the vessels supported Ukraine's military. Many recent strikes occurred in the western Black Sea, off the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. On Friday, a search-and-rescue operation continued after a Comoros-flagged ship was hit just outside Romanian waters. One body was recovered from that 13-person crew, and three remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the incident.
The Dignity had sailed from Algeria and was heading to Romania to load grain. Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., has counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in these attacks. He noted that while no one is forced to take these jobs, economic necessity often compels them to do so. The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea.
Shipping companies are scaling back operations in response to the risk. Turkey-based ED Shipping has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels, according to chief financial officer Demre İşcen. He said the company is losing millions of dollars each month. The ship Circon was hit on June 5 in the Sea of Azov, killing two crew members. Ukraine acknowledged that attack, claiming the targeted vessels carried stolen Ukrainian grain, military cargo, and fuel. İşcen disputed this, stating the ship was heading to load Russian grain.
Mamdouh and his surviving crewmates are currently waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to fly home. Mamdouh stated he will not return to the Black Sea again.
