Black Sea becomes deadliest route for merchant sailors as more than 570 vessels are hit and at least 40 seafarers are killed this year

The Black Sea has become the world’s deadliest shipping route for merchant sailors, with more than 570 vessels struck and at least 40 seafarers killed this year, the Financial Times reported. The toll exceeds the 24 sailors killed in the Strait of Hormuz over the same period.

Attacks rose sharply in the third quarter, when about 387 ships were hit between July and September—more than four a day. The increase followed Ukraine’s launch of a campaign against Russian-linked vessels and Russia’s stepped-up strikes on ships calling at Ukrainian ports.

Maritime security firm Ambrey estimates that Russia was responsible for around 90% of attacks on shipping over the past 45 days. It says the attacks have involved drones, explosive-laden sea drones and missiles.

The strikes have reached the waters of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria. On Friday, the Comoros-flagged Khoryv capsized after a drone strike off Constanța, killing one sailor and leaving three missing.

Traffic at Greater Odesa’s ports has also fallen: fewer than 10 ships called there last month, compared with about 400 in July. Shipowners describe calls at Ukrainian ports as “near suicidal,” while war-risk insurance premiums have soared.