19 Ships Idled: ED Shipping Bleeds Millions as Black Sea Drone War Escalates

Turkey-based cargo owner ED Shipping has idled 19 of its 26 vessels due to escalating drone attacks in the Black Sea. Chief Financial Officer Demre İşcen stated the company is losing millions of dollars every month as a result of the halt. The decision follows a surge in maritime violence that has disrupted a key global shipping corridor.

Maritime risk firm Ambrey reported more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov this year. The firm attributes 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October to Russia. Russia’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged striking dozens of ships this month, claiming the targets supported Ukraine’s military. At least 31 seafarers have been killed or remain missing since the conflict intensified at sea.

The latest incident involved the cargo ship HS Dignity, which was struck by a sea drone just after 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. The ship sank in heavy swells off the Bulgarian coast. Chief Officer Ashraf Mamdouh, 42, said the crew saw an uncontrolled boat approaching before realizing it was part of the attack group. The drone rammed the vessel before the lifeboats could be fully launched.

Mamdouh is one of five survivors from the 123-metre ship. Eleven crew members are listed as missing, including 18-year-old Syrian seafarer Hamza Suleiman. Suleiman’s father, Basel, said his son had called from Bulgaria on Oct. 12 before the attack. Mamdouh said he last saw Suleiman wearing a life jacket while the two drifted apart in the water.

NATO has increased maritime security in the region, deploying additional patrol boats and radar systems. Attacks have occurred in the western Black Sea, including near the coasts of NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. On Friday, a search operation was underway after a Comoros-flagged ship was hit near Romanian waters, leaving one crew member dead and three missing.

Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K. head Khaldoun Nabelsi counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in recent strikes. He noted that economic pressure often forces sailors to accept dangerous routes. The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea. Mamdouh and the other four survivors are currently in Bulgaria waiting for documents to return home.

Ukraine previously acknowledged striking ED Shipping’s vessel Circon on June 5 in the Sea of Azov, an attack that killed two crew members. Ukraine said the ship carried stolen grain and military cargo. İşcen disputes this claim, stating the ship was en route to load Russian grain. Mamdouh said he will not return to the Black Sea.