Ukraine temporarily shuts key Danube-Black Sea route after deadly vessel explosion

The Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine (AMPU) have announced the temporary closure of the Bystroe channel of the Danube-Black Sea canal following a fatal explosion aboard a dredging vessel.

The incident has resulted in the deaths of three crew members and left several others injured, prompting an immediate suspension of navigation through the strategic waterway, Caliber.Az reports, citing Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine.

According to a statement released by the Administration via social media, the explosion occurred late in the evening of July 23, involving a vessel operated by the Delta-Pilot branch of the state enterprise.

“Late in the evening of July 23 there was an accident with a dredging vessel belonging to the branch of ‘Delta-lotsman’ of the state enterprise ‘Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine’. The vessel with 11 crew members was in the Bystroe channel to carry out routine work. As a result of the explosion, three AMPU employees were killed. The rest of the crew members are hospitalised and all necessary assistance is provided to them,” the statement read.

Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene, and an investigation is now underway. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, with AMPU confirming that “the details of the incident are being clarified.”

As a result of the explosion, the Bystroe channel—a vital shipping artery for Ukrainian seaports in the Danube region—has been closed to all vessel traffic.

In the interim, maritime navigation to and from ports in the Danube basin is being redirected through the Sulina Channel, located within Romanian waters.

The Bystroe canal has played a critical role in sustaining Ukraine’s grain exports and commercial shipping operations amid ongoing disruptions caused by the war with Russia. The incident is expected to impact regional logistics and may add further strain to Ukraine’s already burdened maritime infrastructure.

By Vafa Guliyeva