Türkiye warns vessels of security threats in Black Sea

Türkiye’s Transport Ministry has warned shipping companies about security risks in the Black Sea amid a recent increase in attacks on Turkish commercial vessels, Aydınlık reports, citing government sources.

The report said Turkish authorities expect vessels heading to areas beyond the country’s sovereign maritime territory to take potential risks into account.

Sources made it clear that Türkiye’s intervention in incidents occurring outside its territorial waters could be interpreted as Ankara's support for one of the parties to the conflict.

MV Güllük, a Turkish-flagged dry cargo vessel bound for Russia’s Taman, was struck by a drone near the port of Novorossiysk, and the impact struck the ship’s living quarters.

No casualties or injuries were reported, and the vessel was diverted to Istanbul for damage assessment and repairs.

The vessel operates in international shipping and was built in 2002.

The incident has renewed attention on similar attacks in the Black Sea and the diplomatic reactions that followed.

After attacks allegedly carried out by Ukraine on the Nadezhda and Yaşar vessels near Novorossiysk on August 3, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said it was seriously concerned about the escalation of the conflict in the Black Sea.

The ministry warned that failure to take the necessary steps to contain the fighting could have serious consequences, including for food security.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov