Incident Alert – Three Ships Damaged by Missile Strikes in Black Sea Ports

Incident Details

Ukrainian officials have reported that at least 3 merchant ships have been damaged during Russian attacks on commercial ports in the Odesa region in the last 4 days. In the latest incident, the Panama-flagged containership SHUI SPIRIT was struck during loading operations in the port of Chornomorsk. On Monday, 7 October, the Palau-flagged bulk carrier OPTIMA was hit during a missile attack as she was leaving port in Odesa killing a crew member and injuring 5 more. On 7 October, the St Kitts/Nevis-flagged general cargo vessel PARESA was struck by a Russian missile in the port of Yuzhny, The Greek operators said the ship received significant damage but no one was injured during the attack.

Comment. The latest attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure and ships operating within the ports, follow the recent missile attack on the bulk carrier AYA carrying grain to Egypt. The vessel was believed to have been hit by an air-launched Russian anti-ship missile as she was transiting within the Romanian EEZ.

Assessment. Russian missile attacks on grain export infrastructure and cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain may indicate a shift in Russian strategy in the Black Sea. Grain exports are a major contributor to Ukraine’s economy but also play a significant part in maintaining global food security. Russia may be seeking to bring pressure on both Ukraine and the International community at the same time. Ships operating in Ukrainian ports should consider the use of hardening measures contained in the shipping industry guide to Best Management Practices (BMP) https://shorturl.at/hJOAi