No longer Hormuz, now the ‘Black Sea’ the most dangerous sea route! Attacks on ships add to the anxiety

The world’s eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but another sea route is becoming more dangerous. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the ‘Black Sea’ is now affecting merchant ships and their crew members, with hundreds of ships facing attacks and many sailors losing their lives. The situation is such that there are reports of attacks up to the Maritime Economic Zone of NATO member states. Its impact is not limited to ships, but may also affect world food trade and grain supplies.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, ‘black sea‘It has become the most dangerous sea route in the world. The Strait of Hormuz has also been left behind in terms of attacks on ships here.

Attacks are constantly happening in the Black Sea

According to the report, there have been more than 300 attacks in the ‘Black Sea’. More than 30 sailors have been killed in these attacks, while 20 people are still missing. At the same time, there have been around 130 attacks in the Middle East since February, in which 25 people have lost their lives.

The increasing threat in the ‘Black Sea’ is also affecting maritime trade. In October, vessel traffic through the Bosphorus Strait fell by 41 percent compared to the same month last year. More than 570 ships have been attacked in the Black Sea this year, according to maritime security firm Embrey and the International Maritime Organization. Some 387 ships were attacked between July and September, five times the number in the previous quarter.

According to the report, there were an average of more than four attacks per day in the third quarter. By comparison, IMO data shows that 120 incidents were recorded in Hormuz and the entire Middle East.

A new test for NATO

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Russian military has attacked commercial ships carrying Ukrainian food exports, while Ukraine has used drones against Russian shipping on the other side of the ocean. Embry has blamed Russia for nearly 90% of attacks in the past 45 days.

According to reports, the attacks are now taking place even closer to NATO territory. On October 15, drones repeatedly attacked the chemical tanker Wine Trader off the coast of Romania, leaving seven crew members missing. On October 23, the cargo ship sank near Khoriv, ​​Romania. One crew member died and three were missing.

Embrey claims that the attacks have shifted to open waters and exclusive economic zones of NATO member states, increasing pressure on the alliance. The Wall Street Journal called this situation a new test for NATO.

Worry about food exports

The Iran war, now in its eighth month, has placed Hormuz at the center of energy and shipping concerns, but the Black Sea is an essential outlet for Ukraine’s grain and other food exports. Shipping groups have warned that the escalating violence threatens crews, trade and global grain supplies.

The report said sailors are most at risk, who often have no say in where their ships are headed. With tensions showing no sign of abating, crews, ship owners and insurance companies face a situation far more dangerous than the world realizes.