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A chemical and oil tanker, Yara J, reported a fire while at anchor, 8-10 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina Canal in Romania’s territorial waters.
Radu Miruta, Defense Minister, said that an investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the incident, as it remains unclear whether it was a drone strike.
This is the latest incident in the Black Sea, which highlights the shipping risks near the eastern borders of NATO. Fortunately, the Romanian naval authority confirmed that all the crew members of the vessel were rescued on time.
The increasing attacks on ships in the Black Sea have heightened tensions and concerns about maritime security in the long run. At least 5 cargo vessels were attacked in the Black Sea off the shores of NATO Countries Bulgaria and Romania since the first week of October, resulting in the deaths or missing reports of at least 23 seafarers.
The Sulina Canal on the Danube is a major trade lane for Ukraine’s grain shipments, and delays due to the uncertain situation, combined with bad weather and a shortage of workers, have led to a backlog of dozens of vessels waiting to cross.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea, which has forced Kyiv to rely on the Danube ports and routes near the shores of Romania and Bulgaria to ship its cargo, especially grain.
Ukraine has also targeted Russia’s Port of Novorossiysk multiple times in the last few months, including ships waiting to load oil at the facility.
Romania has become embroiled in the Russia-Ukraine tussle near its border with radar systems tracking and breaching multiple drones in its airspace. Most of these drones are launched towards ships berthed at the river ports.
Romania has a 381-mile-long land border with Ukraine, which is why Russian drones often fall in its airspace, along with mines floating in the Black Sea.
President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, said that the drone attacks are a result of the Russian war against Ukraine and that they threaten shipping and crucial agricultural commodities meant for other continents.
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Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.