Black Sea now more deadly than the Gulf for sailors
More than 570 ships have been targeted this year, resulting in at least 40 deaths compared to 24 in the Strait of Hormuz.
By Peter Graham ·
The Black Sea has become the most dangerous place for commercial sailors this year. Maritime data shows the death toll there now exceeds that of the Gulf, a route that has received far more global attention.
Crews on oil tankers, cargo ships, and grain carriers face drone attacks near EU and NATO borders. Some estimates place the number of attacks in the Black Sea at more than six times the rate seen in the Gulf. Data from Ambrey and the International Maritime Organisation indicates that more than 570 ships have been targeted in the region in 2026.
At least 40 seafarers have been killed as a result of these incidents. By comparison, 24 deaths have been confirmed in the Strait of Hormuz. Ambrey notes that the third quarter of the year saw an average of more than four attacks every day. Some vessels were caught in crossfire when ports were bombarded, while others were deliberately targeted.
Oleh Hryhoriuk, chair of the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine, described the situation bluntly. "For me, the Black Sea and calling [at] Ukrainian ports is near suicidal," he said.
Economic factors are shaping how companies respond. Record-high freight rates have led some firms to accept the risks of the Middle East. In the Black Sea, however, most operators are reluctant to send fleets because profit margins are lower and risks are higher. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that Russia is turning the sea into a danger zone for civilian vessels.
The shift in risk is forcing a reassessment of trade routes. While the Gulf remains a focal point for global headlines, the statistics show the Black Sea has overtaken it in lethality for those working on the water.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
