The Turkish Shipowners' Association has issued a stark warning regarding navigation safety in the Black Sea, citing a surge in hostile incidents that it deems unacceptable for commercial shipping.
The industry body reported that 136 attacks on merchant vessels have occurred in the region over recent months, prompting a call for a wait-and-see approach when negotiating new cargo transportation contracts.
This escalation underscores the deteriorating security environment for maritime trade in one of the world's key grain and energy corridors.
The warning comes as security risks in the Black Sea continue to intensify, with recent incidents including a Russian drone attack on two commercial vessels off the coast of Odesa.
Such events highlight the persistent threat to global maritime supply chains and the increasing difficulty for insurers and operators to assess risk premiums accurately.
The association's stance suggests that freight rates and insurance costs for Black Sea routes may face upward pressure as carriers seek to mitigate exposure.