Ukraine Strike on Turkish Bulker Leaves One Seafarer Missing Near Russia
The 18,315 dwt Aroyat was hit by an aerial drone near Novorossiysk.
Ukraine’s military is facing accusations after a Turkish-owned cargo ship was struck near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, leaving one crew member unaccounted for. The 18,315-dwt bulker Aroyat, registered in Palau and managed by Turkish operators since 2022, was hit on September 27 in what witnesses described as an aerial drone attack.
The incident sparked a fire in the vessel’s accommodation block, disabling the ship and forcing it to be towed back to Turkey. Of the 16 crew members—seven Egyptian, six Syrian, and three Turkish nationals—most were rescued. However, the family of the ship’s Turkish second engineer reported him missing, posting online in hopes he might have been taken to Russia. Turkish authorities have pledged a thorough search of the vessel now that it has returned to port.
Damage and Diplomatic Tensions: Turkish
Images circulating online show severe damage to the Aroyat, particularly in the stern where the fire erupted. The ship’s last recorded port call was in Georgia, though it remains unclear whether it had loaded cargo in Russia or was merely en route to Novorossiysk at the time of the attack.
The incident has reignited tensions between Turkey and Ukraine. Ankara has repeatedly protested attacks on civilian vessels, which have resulted in casualties among Turkish seafarers. Yet, Ukraine has also condemned Russian strikes that harm merchant crews, highlighting the broader risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
A Ship with a Complicated History
The Aroyat played a notable role in 2023 when it became the first large bulker to dock at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port after the collapse of a UN-backed humanitarian corridor. Its return helped revive Ukrainian grain exports, underscoring the vessel’s significance in regional trade.
With no official statement from Ukraine’s Defense Forces and the search for the missing sailor ongoing, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by merchant crews navigating a conflict zone. The Aroyat’s current status—damaged and under investigation—reflects the broader instability threatening maritime operations in the Black Sea.
“Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the dry bulk carrier Aroyat on Sept. 27 while it was heading to a Russian port, causing a fire in the stern. The vessel carried a crew of seven Egyptian, six Syrian, and three Turkish sailors, with casualties reported among them.”
NOELREPORTS·Independent Watchdog
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