A Panamanian freighter was sunk by a Russian missile on Thursday off the Ukrainian coast, proof that the merchant navy is also threatened by the conflict. And faced with increasing insurance rates, shipowners prefer to stay at the quay.
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Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, a dozen boats have found themselves trapped in the Black Sea, gutted cabin or sent to the bottom. Not to mention that between 200 and 300 others are stuck in the middle of a war zone. The destitute crews watch the missiles pass over their heads, blocked at the quay or at anchor a few cables from the coast. After the sinking of a Panamanian freighter, sunk by Russian fire, Thursday, March 17, there is no longer any doubt that the conflict has become a danger for “seafarers”.
Paul Tourret, who directs the Higher Institute of Maritime Economics, notices ships stuck on one side by the blockade of Russian ships, on the other by administrative constraints: “It’s the insurers who are saying ‘this area is a war zone, your insurance premiums now have war zone terms and conditions’.”
Faced with these insurance rates that have become too expensive, shipowners are leaving ships at the quay. Those who are luckier manage to get away but are gently led towards Russian waters, immobilized at the entrance to the Sea of Azov. Goods do not circulate, neither do sailors.
This situation is likely to pose a problem beyond the Black Sea. The world merchant marine fleet employs nearly 300,000 Russian and Ukrainian crew members. Paul Tourret sees logistical problems coming: “The problem with these 15% of world sailors from these two countries? The Ukrainians are losing their country since they cannot access it or leave it to go and fight. “is their inability to travel. For example, European companies that have officers or sailors of these two nationalities will have to ask themselves how we do it.”
In addition to this labor shortage, there are shortages of goods from Ukraine. Something to upset the well-oiled mechanics of maritime trade even further.