Ambrey reports Black Sea seafarer deaths surpass Gulf total
More than 570 vessels were targeted in the region this year, resulting in at least 40 confirmed seafarer deaths.
By Nadia Almasi ·
The Black Sea has become the most lethal waterway for maritime crews in 2026, surpassing the death toll in the Gulf.
Maritime security firm Ambrey and the International Maritime Organisation report that at least 40 seafarers have been killed in the region this year. By comparison, 24 deaths have been confirmed in the Strait of Hormuz. The data indicates that more than 570 ships have been targeted in the Black Sea, with attack frequency rising to an average of over four incidents per day in the third quarter.
Vessels entering the area face threats from drone strikes while operating near EU and NATO territory. Some ships were hit during port bombardments, while others were singled out. Estimates suggest the volume of attacks in the Black Sea is more than six times higher than in the Gulf.
Oleh Hryhoriuk, chair of the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine, described the current conditions as near suicidal for workers calling at Ukrainian ports. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that Russia is converting the Black Sea into a danger zone for civilian vessels.
Economic factors are influencing fleet decisions. Record freight rates have led some companies to accept Middle East routes. In the Black Sea, shipping groups report that operators are hesitant to dispatch fleets due to lower profit margins and elevated risks.
The Financial Times reported these findings based on input from shipowners and maritime organizations. The data confirms the shift in danger levels between the two key shipping lanes.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
