Ambrey: Black Sea seafarer deaths hit 40, surpassing the Gulf
At least 40 seafarers were killed in the Black Sea this year, doubling the confirmed death toll in the Strait of Hormuz.
By Aaron Mitchell ·
The Black Sea has overtaken the Gulf as the deadliest maritime route for seafarers in 2026, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Data from maritime security firm Ambrey and the International Maritime Organisation indicates that at least 40 seafarers have died in the Black Sea so far this year. In contrast, 24 deaths have been confirmed in the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 570 ships have been targeted in the Black Sea during this period. Estimates suggest that drone attacks in the region occur at a frequency more than six times higher than in the Gulf. Ambrey noted that the third quarter of the year averaged more than four attacks per day.
Crews on oil tankers, cargo ships, and grain carriers face these threats while operating near EU and NATO territory. Some vessels were caught in crossfire during port bombardments, while others were deliberately targeted.
Shipping groups report that most operators are hesitant to send fleets to the Black Sea because profit margins are lower and risks are higher. Record-high freight rates have encouraged some firms to accept the danger of transporting oil from the Middle East, but that trend has not yet extended to the Black Sea.
Oleh Hryhoriuk, chair of the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine, described the situation as near suicidal for crews calling at Ukrainian ports. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that Russia is turning the Black Sea into a danger zone for civilian vessels.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
