ED Shipping Idles 19 Vessels as Black Sea Drone Attacks Claim 31 Crew Members

Demre İşcen, chief financial officer of ED Shipping, confirmed on Oct. 24 that the Turkey-based carrier has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels. The company is now losing millions of dollars each month as drone strikes continue to disrupt the Black Sea corridor. This move follows a surge in attacks that has left at least 31 seafarers dead or missing.

The deadliest incident occurred on Oct. 13 aboard the cargo ship HS Dignity. A sea drone struck the hull, causing the 123-metre vessel to sink. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh, 42, described a chaotic scene where an unmanned boat rammed the ship while the crew was still launching lifeboats. Eleven crew members are missing, while five survivors, including Mamdouh, were rescued by the Azov Concord. Mamdouh said he signaled for help with his phone's flashlight after spending four hours in a life raft.

Maritime risk firm Ambrey recorded more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and 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, claiming they supported Ukraine's military. On Friday, a Comoros-flagged ship was hit just outside Romanian territorial waters. One body was recovered, and three crew members remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the strike.

Syrian sailors face some of the highest risks. Khaldoun Nabelsi, head of the Syrian Seafarers Association of the U.K., counted at least 18 Syrian seafarers killed in recent weeks. Nabelsi noted that economic pressure often forces workers into these roles. Basel Suleiman, father of 18-year-old Hamza Suleiman, said his son was missing after the Dignity sank. Hamza had called home on Oct. 12 while the ship was off the coast of Bulgaria. His father said he hoped to arrange for Hamza to leave the ship in Turkey, but the young sailor stayed aboard.

The Philippine government has barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea. ED Shipping's ship Circon was hit in the Sea of Azov on June 5, killing two crew members. Ukraine acknowledged that attack, stating the vessel carried stolen Ukrainian grain, military cargo, and fuel. İşcen disputes this account, saying the Circon was heading to load Russian grain. Survivors of the Dignity are currently waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to fly home.

Mamdouh stated his intention to leave the Black Sea permanently. He and his surviving crewmates are processing paperwork in Bulgaria to return to their homes. The incident has contributed to a near halt in commercial traffic, prompting NATO to deploy more patrol boats and radar to the area.