Istanbul Strait temporarily closed following drone attack on vessel
The Istanbul Strait was closed to two-way traffic on Monday while the Belize-flagged cargo ship M/V New Victory was escorted through the passage.
The vessel had previously been attacked by Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea, where it sustained extensive damage.
The incident highlights the persistent risks faced by civilian shipping in the region as a result of the ongoing conflict.
The attack on the M/V New Victory occurred in the Black Sea while the ship was en route to Russia' s Port of Taman.
According to reports, the vessel was struck by five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This resulted in significant damage to the ship’s bridge, and the captain was injured in the attack, underscoring the gravity of the situation for the crew on board. To ensure safe passage, the damaged vessel was accompanied by three tugboats as it moved through the Istanbul Strait.
Turkish authorities decided to suspend all shipping traffic in both directions through the strait during the operation to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of all maritime traffic and the surrounding coastal areas.
The temporary closure of the Istanbul Strait underlines Turkey' s strategic role as the gatekeeper of the international sea routes connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean.
Under the Montreux Convention, Turkey holds sovereignty over the straits and the responsibility to regulate shipping traffic, particularly in situations involving safety and navigational security. Following its transit through the Istanbul Strait, the M/V New Victory is now heading to a shipyard for repairs to its extensive damage.
The incident serves as yet another reminder of the significant challenges and dangers faced by international shipping in the Black Sea region, a vital trade route that has become a critical area in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with potential consequences for global supply chains and regional stability.
Source: Star
