31 Sailors Lost as Black Sea Drone Attacks Stall Regional Trade

Maritime traffic in the Black Sea has slowed to a near standstill following a series of drone strikes that left at least 31 seafarers dead or missing. The latest incident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 13, when the cargo ship HS Dignity was hit by a sea drone. The vessel began to sink, forcing the crew of 16 to abandon ship in heavy swells. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh described seeing an uncontrolled boat speed toward the crew, which he identified as part of the attacking force. The drone then rammed the hull, preventing the full launch of lifeboats.

Analysts from the maritime risk firm Ambrey estimate that more than 500 attacks have targeted commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year. Their data indicates that Russia was responsible for 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October. The Russian Ministry of Defence has acknowledged striking dozens of ships this month, stating that the targets supported Ukraine’s military efforts. Many of the recent strikes have occurred in the western Black Sea, including off the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania.

The attacks have triggered a defensive response from NATO, which has increased maritime security by deploying additional patrol boats and radar systems. On Friday, search-and-rescue teams were active off the Romanian coast after drones struck a Comoros-flagged ship. One body has been recovered from that incident, while three crew members remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan attributed the damage to Russian actions.

The human cost of the conflict is concentrated among crew members from several countries. On the HS Dignity, five crew members survived, including 42-year-old Mamdouh, who spent four hours in a life raft before being rescued by the Azov Concord. Eleven crew members are missing, among them 18-year-old Syrian sailor Hamza Suleiman. Suleiman’s father, Basel, said his son called on Oct. 12 to report their arrival in Bulgarian waters. Mamdouh last saw Suleiman wearing a life jacket, a detail that offers the family some hope.

Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., has counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in the region this year. He noted that while few are forced into the profession, economic necessity often drives the decision to board these vessels. The Philippine government has responded by barring its citizens from boarding ships in the northern Black Sea.

Shipping companies are adjusting their fleets to manage the risk. Demre İşcen, chief financial officer of Turkey-based ED Shipping, stated that the company has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels. İşcen said the company is losing millions of dollars each month due to the halt in trade. The company’s ship Circon was hit on June 5 in the Sea of Azov, killing two crew members. Ukraine acknowledged that attack, claiming the vessel carried stolen grain, military cargo, and fuel. İşcen disputes this account, stating the ship was heading to load Russian grain.

Mamdouh and the other four survivors of the HS Dignity are currently waiting in Bulgaria for new travel documents. They plan to fly home once the paperwork is complete. Mamdouh has said he will not return to the Black Sea.

The commercial impact of the strikes has spread beyond immediate casualties. The HS Dignity was sailing from Algeria to Romania to load grain when it was attacked. The disruption has affected a key shipping corridor that supports regional trade and energy flows.