Another merchant cargo vessel operating in the Black Sea has been caught in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in the death of a Ukrainian seafarer.
The Mera Queen, a 5,195 DWT cargo vessel built in 2014, sails under the Guinea-Bissau flag and has an overall length of 91 meters. The vessel was reportedly operating on the Ukrainian grain corridor, preparing to load wheat for export when the attack occurred.
According to available information, the vessel was struck while sailing near the Port of Odesa during the night of August 5. The impact hit the ship’s hull, causing a fire on board. One Ukrainian seafarer lost their life, while three other crew members were injured and transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
By the early hours of August 6, the crew had been safely evacuated, and the vessel was brought alongside the berth. Emergency teams and remaining personnel continued efforts to contain the fire and assess the extent of the damage.
Since the outbreak of the war, normal anchorage operations in the region have been severely disrupted. On the Ukrainian side, merchant vessels often remain close to port rather than waiting at traditional anchorage areas due to security concerns. On the Russian side of the Black Sea, ships are generally not permitted to anchor until shortly before their scheduled berthing time. These operational changes have become part of the new reality for commercial shipping in the conflict zone.
According to Ukrainian officials, this latest incident brings the reported number of seafarers killed in the Black Sea region since July to 24. Despite continued international concern over the safety of merchant shipping, the security situation remains highly volatile, with no lasting de-escalation measures ensuring safe passage for civilian vessels and their crews.
The incident serves as another reminder of the increasing risks faced by merchant seafarers operating in one of the world’s most dangerous maritime regions. As attacks continue, concerns are growing within the global shipping industry over the protection of civilian crews carrying essential cargo through the Black Sea.
