Drone attacks hit three tankers off Turkey

Three tankers operating in international waters north of the Turkeli area off Turkey’s northern coast were targeted by drone strikes on Thursday, raising significant security concerns near the Bosphorus approaches. Shipping agency Tribeca confirmed the incident, which occurred in a critical maritime corridor frequently used for grain and energy transit. While specific vessel identities remain under investigation, the proximity of these attacks to major Turkish ports highlights the escalating volatility in Black Sea shipping lanes for merchant vessels navigating these contested waters.

These security breaches necessitate strict adherence to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, specifically Part A, which mandates rigorous security assessments and the implementation of Ship Security Plans (SSP). Under SOLAS Chapter XI-2, operators must ensure that vessel security levels are adjusted in response to heightened regional threats. Compliance departments must now prioritize the immediate review of voyage risk assessments and ensure that onboard security equipment, including CCTV and citadel protocols, meets the stringent requirements mandated by classification societies to maintain operational insurance coverage.

Masters and navigating officers must exercise extreme vigilance when transiting the Black Sea, particularly near the Bosphorus approaches. These professionals are required to maintain a heightened lookout for unidentified aerial vehicles and ensure that all bridge team members are briefed on emergency evasion maneuvers. It is critical for deck officers to verify that AIS transmissions and security alerts are functioning correctly, as rapid communication with regional maritime security centers is essential for safeguarding the crew and the vessel during transit.