Cargo owner ED Shipping idles 19 ships after Black Sea drone strikes

The Black Sea has long served as a critical corridor for global grain and energy trade, but recent combat activity has disrupted that flow. Turkish cargo operator ED Shipping has placed 19 of its 26 vessels into layup following a series of drone attacks on commercial shipping.

Demre İşcen, the company's chief financial officer, stated that the pause in operations is costing the firm millions of dollars every month. The decision follows a period of intense violence in the region that has left at least 31 sailors dead or missing.

Maritime risk firm Ambrey has recorded more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov this year. The firm attributes 40 of the 45 strikes recorded in October to Russia. Russian defense officials have acknowledged hitting dozens of ships this month, claiming the targets supported the Ukrainian military.

The violence has expanded into waters near NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. A search and rescue operation is currently underway after a Comoros-flagged ship was struck outside Romanian territorial waters. One crew member has been recovered, and three remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan placed the blame for that incident on Russia.

One of the most recent incidents involved the HS Dignity, which was hit by a sea drone just after 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. The vessel was carrying grain from Algeria to Romania. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh, 42, described the chaos as an unmanned boat approached the sinking ship after the initial strike.

Mamdouh said the crew believed the approaching boat was a rescue team before realizing it was part of the attacking group. The drone rammed the vessel, preventing the full launch of lifeboats. Eleven crew members are missing, including 18-year-old Hamza Suleiman, who was on his first voyage.

Suleiman's father, Basel, said he received a call from his son on Oct. 12 mentioning their location in Bulgarian waters. Mamadou last saw the young sailor wearing a life jacket. Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., has counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in these attacks.

The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea. Survivors of the HS Dignity are currently in Bulgaria awaiting new documents to return home. Mamadou said he will not return to the region.