Black Sea Mine Blast Injures Two Seafarers as Cargo Ship Vyssos Struck En Route to Danube Grain Port

Black Sea Mine Blast Injures Two Seafarers as Cargo Ship Vyssos Struck En Route to Danube Grain Port

Two seafarers were injured early Wednesday after the general cargo vessel Vyssos struck a naval mine in the Black Sea while sailing toward a Danube River port to load grain. The blast, which occurred near the mouth of the Novostambul’s’ke (Shvydke) channel of the Danube delta, triggered a fire on the upper deck and left the Panama-flagged, 8,800-dwt ship without propulsion or steering.
According to Ukraine’s southern military command, the explosion caused the vessel to lose control shortly after the impact. “The ship lost speed and control, a fire broke out on the upper deck. To avoid flooding, the captain anchored the ship aground,” the command said on its Telegram channel. Images released on 28 December by Ukrainian authorities confirm the extensive damage on the deck and identify the vessel as the Vyssos (built 2007), which is managed by Athens-based Nava Shipping.
The explosion injured two crew members, including the ship’s master. Ukrainian officials said the captain received medical treatment on board and remained in stable condition. The second injured seafarer, an Egyptian national, was evacuated to a hospital in Izmail with a hip injury and contusions. His condition was later described as satisfactory by local medical authorities.
Four Turkish crew members were also on board at the time of the incident. Turkish officials in Istanbul stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with relevant Ukrainian authorities. The vessel remains grounded near the Danube delta as investigations and safety assessments continue.

Black Sea Mine Threat Escalates

The incident highlights the escalating maritime hazards in the Black Sea region, where hundreds of naval mines have been deployed by both Ukraine and Russia since the outbreak of the war nearly two years ago. Ukrainian military officials have repeatedly warned that heavy storms and strong currents have dislodged and scattered many mines, increasing the risk to both commercial and civilian shipping.
Several merchant vessels have already been damaged in recent months. Notably, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier and a Turkish-controlled tanker were hit by drifting mines in October, prompting widespread concern among shipowners, insurers, and regional maritime authorities.
In response to the growing threat, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria announced earlier this month that they are preparing to sign a joint agreement in January to launch a coordinated mine-clearing initiative in the western Black Sea. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said the plan includes continuous patrols by mine-sweeping vessels up to the limit of Romania’s maritime borders. “Our mine-clearing vessels will carry out constant patrols,” Guler said, emphasizing the strategic importance of restoring safe navigation in the region.
The UK and Norway have also committed to sending specialized mine-sweeping ships as part of a broader naval support programme aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s maritime security and protecting vital shipping corridors.

Impact on Ukraine’s Export Routes

Russia’s withdrawal in July from the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative — a safe corridor agreement enabling Ukraine to export grain during the conflict — has further intensified risks for commercial shipping. Since pulling out of the deal, Russia has stepped up attacks on port infrastructure in Odesa and other key maritime hubs, seeking to disrupt Ukraine’s export capabilities.
Despite these pressures, Ukraine has established an alternative maritime corridor along its western Black Sea coastline under the protection of its armed forces. According to Ukrainian officials, 386 outbound voyages had been completed from the previously blocked ports of Odesa, Yuzhnyy/Pivdennyi, and Chornomorsk as of 28 December. These voyages carried an estimated 12.5 million tons of agricultural goods and iron products — a critical lifeline for the country’s economy and for global food markets.

Traffic on the Danube River, meanwhile, has continued uninterrupted throughout the conflict, turning ports such as Izmail and Reni into essential export channels. The Vyssos was en route to one of these Danube ports to load grain when it encountered the mine.

Heightened Risk but Continued Operations

While mine strikes remain relatively rare compared to the overall volume of shipping, the latest incident underscores the persistent dangers across the region. Maritime security analysts warn that the combination of drifting mines, conflict-driven disruptions, and harsh winter weather will likely elevate risks in the coming months.
Nevertheless, Ukraine and its regional partners have signaled their commitment to maintaining trade flows and enhancing navigational safety. The upcoming multinational mine-clearing initiative, combined with increased naval support from European partners, is expected to gradually improve conditions along key commercial routes.
For now, the Vyssos remains grounded and under observation, with investigators assessing the extent of the damage and determining when the vessel can be safely refloated or towed. The incident serves as another stark reminder of the challenges faced by merchant crews and shipping companies operating in one of the world’s most complex and hazardous maritime environments.

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