Black Sea overtakes Strait of Hormuz as deadliest shipping route for seafarers

Deadliest waters for seafarers

The Black Sea has become the most dangerous shipping route in the world for seafarers in 2026. According to the maritime security firm Ambrey and the International Maritime Organization, more than 570 ships have been attacked in the sea this year, leaving at least 40 crew members dead. For comparison, the Strait of Hormuz recorded 24 confirmed seafarer deaths in attacks that began after 28 February, and 118 commercial ships were attacked there. The Black Sea therefore accounts for more seafarer deaths than any other body of water this year, overtaking the Persian Gulf region that has drawn far more global attention. Shipowners and shipping associations say the risk there now exceeds that in the Middle East, even though commercial margins are smaller.

Black Sea (at least)40

Strait of Hormuz (confirmed)24

Black Sea (at least)

40 deaths

Strait of Hormuz (confirmed)

24 deaths

Data from the article text

Escalation and who is attacking

Attacks intensified in the third quarter. Ambrey counts about 387 vessels attacked between July and September, more than five times the previous quarter, with an average of more than four attacks a day. Some ships were hit in the crossfire of attacks on ports, while others were targeted directly, and tankers, cargo ships and grain carriers are all exposed. Ambrey says Russia was responsible for about 90% of the strikes on ships recorded in the last 45 days. Ukraine runs its own campaign against Russian vessels and port infrastructure, which began mainly against fuel shipments to occupied Crimea and later widened to shipping in the Kerch Strait, linking the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Black Sea (over 570)570

Strait of Hormuz118

Black Sea (over 570)

570 ships

Strait of Hormuz

118 ships

Data from the article text

Thomas Alexa, a senior analyst at Ambrey, said the methods of attack are changing. Ukraine previously hit cargo loading manifolds or disabled engine rooms and steering gear, but it now attacks bridges and crew accommodation, as Russia does, which could raise crew casualties.

Incidents off Romania and Bulgaria

The attacks have reached the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria, both NATO and EU members. On 6 October two commercial ships were hit by drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, one of which sank while the other caught fire. Bulgaria's prime minister summoned Russia's ambassador in Sofia and called for stronger air defence within NATO. On 15 October the chemical tanker Wine Trader was struck by two Russian Geran-type drones while 13 nautical miles off Sulina, Romania, heading for Giurgiulesti in Moldova. Seven of its 12 crew members went missing after the attack, which was followed by a fire on board. Hours later another chemical tanker, Yara J, was damaged in the same waters.

Freight costs and the risk calculation

Shipping groups say some companies are still prepared to face the risks on Middle East oil routes, where freight rates have reached record levels. More are reluctant to send their vessels into the Black Sea, where margins are smaller and trade is far more dangerous. Oleg Grygoriuk, president of the Ukrainian union for sea transport workers, described the situation in stark terms.

“For me, the Black Sea and calls at Ukrainian ports are almost suicidal. The general feeling is that there is a constant threat to life.”

Shipping groups say the rising death toll adds pressure on carriers, and the attacks now reach the waters of two NATO and EU members. Ambrey and the IMO remain the sources for these totals, and reporting from both regions is still fragmentary.