Reports of Vessels Targeted Off Ukraine

Reporting indicates that the Ukrainian Sea Ports authority has reported two incidents involving vessels targeted approximately 23nm ESE Odessa. Currently details remain unclear however casualties are being reported in at least one incident.

The latest incidents follow reports of an attack on the 24^th February 22 involving Marshall Islands flagged merchant vessel YASA JUPITER (IMO9848132) which is understood to have been struck by a Russian missile about 50nm South of Odessa.

Unconfirmed reporting indicates that the at 12:55 (Ukraine time) according to the PRRS South and the service of the port captain of the southern branch of Administration of the Seaports of Ukraine (AMPU) at anchorage N358 of Yuzhny port, a missile hit the stern of the Panama flagged bulk carrier NAMURA QUEEN (9841299). The tugboat “P&O STAR” is understood to be alongside and assisted in the rescue. Dryad Global can confirm that two P&O vessels operated in vicinity to the Namura Queen at the time of the alleged incident.

A second report has been received indicating that the port captain of the Odessa branch of the State Enterprise in the anchorage 355, two missiles hit the Moldovan flagged, bunker vessel, MILENIAL SPIRIT (IMO7392610) at approximately 1210 local.

The Ukrainian port authority reported the vessel had 600 tons of fuel oil and diesel on board. The vessel was reportedly hit twice, one missile hitting the superstructure, and another missile hitting the middle of the vessel. These reports appear to be corroborated by the unverified footage that has appeared online showing a fire onboard the vessel. Several vessels attended the location of the MILENIAL SPIRIT including Tugs Breeze-1, Victory, PK-888, KPL-99, SAR02. Dryad Global can confirm that Victory and PK-888 operated in vicinity to the vessel at the time of the alleged attack. Another vessel, the SAR 02, was sent to rescue the crew. Two of the crew members are believed to have been seriously injured, including the master. The victims were taken to the port of Chernomorsk at 14:15 and were taken to a local hospital by ambulance. 

Additional unconfirmed reporting has indicated that the vessel had a crew of 10 all of which are understood to have been Russian nationals. 

Dryad Global advice that any vessel currently within Ukrainian Ports should seek to leave immediately if deemed safe to do so. Vessels should ensure they are broadcasting on AIS and clearly state their intentions across VHF. Any vessels challenged by Russian military vessels should comply fully with instructions.

At this time, Dryad Global advice all commercial operators to avoid any transit or operation within the EEZ of Ukraine or Russia, in the vicinity of the Crimean Peninsula within the Black Sea. The Black Sea ports of the Russian Federation are functioning normally. All transits inbound Western terminals should be made out with Ukrainian and Russian EEZ south of the Crimean Peninsula. Commercial operations within the EEZ of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania remain unaffected at this time however the Romanian Ministry of Defence has also announced that Russian military ships are diverting and stopping commercial ships en-route to Ukrainian ports north of Romania’s EEZ and as such vessels are advised to avoid transiting within 50nm of the NE extremity of the Romanian EEZ.