570 Ships Targeted in Black Sea as Drone War Claims 40 Lives

The Black Sea has become the deadliest body of water for commercial sailors this year, with a confirmed death toll of 40. This figure exceeds the 24 deaths recorded in the Strait of Hormuz, a route that has received more international attention.

Maritime security firm Ambrey and the International Maritime Organisation report that more than 570 vessels were targeted in the Black Sea between January and October. The average attack rate in the third quarter of the year reached more than four incidents per day. Some estimates indicate the attack frequency in the Black Sea is six times higher than in the Gulf.

The vessels hit include oil tankers, cargo ships, and grain carriers operating near EU and NATO territory. While some ships were caught in crossfire during port bombardments, others were deliberately targeted. The threat comes primarily from drone strikes.

Oleh Hryhoriuk, chair of the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine, described the risk to crews calling at Ukrainian ports as near suicidal. In a statement, he said, "For me, the Black Sea and calling [at] Ukrainian ports is near suicidal."

Shipping companies are responding to the danger based on profit margins. Record-high freight rates have led some firms to accept the risks of the Middle East route. In the Black Sea, however, operators report lower margins and greater hazards, leading many to hold back their fleets. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that Russia is turning the region into a danger zone for civilian vessels.