Drifting sea mines continue to pose a persistent threat to commercial vessels operating throughout the Black Sea.
This is what Dryad Global’s latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory (MSTA) noted, adding that, “following reports of poor weather conditions in the Black Sea region and a corresponding increase in the threat of drifting sea mines, the last reporting period has seen two sea mines detonated off the coast of Turkey and another off the coast of a beach in Georgia”.
At the MSTA, Dryad highlighted two “significant dates” coming up: the February 24 anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and an upcoming renegotiation of the UN grain deal.
“Both are of importance to maritime domain, but any increase in Russian military activity around the time of the anniversary is not expected to have an impact on commercial shipping beyond the restricted areas of operations.” said the MSTA.
In its previous MSTA, which was published last week, Dryad warned that poor weather conditions had led to an increase in the threat of drifting sea mines in the Black Sea. This MSTA also noted that maritime drones will likely remain a “key feature” in how Ukraine and Russia “seek to leverage tactical home advantage within the maritime domain.”
“At this stage there are no indications that these vessels will be used against commercial vessels within Ukrainian waters,” the previous MSTA said.
“It continues to be assessed that vessels participating in the UN Large Bargaining Agreement operate in a significantly lower threat state to vessels within Ukrainian ports not covered by the agreement’s parameters,” he added the MSTA.
Total incidents in 2023
Dryad Global’s latest MSTA shows a decrease in total incidents in West Africa, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, compared to the same period last year.
In the latest report, total incidents in West Africa are down 67 percent year-on-year, total incidents in the Indian Ocean are down 57 percent year-on-year, and total incidents in the South -East Asia have dropped by 13 percent. per hundred year after year.
Dryad’s previous report revealed that total incidents in West Africa were down 82 percent year-on-year, total incidents in the Indian Ocean were down 86 percent year-on-year, and total incidents in the South -East Asia were down 27 percent year-on-year.
The number of hijacking events and hijacked crew in West Africa remained at zero in both MSTAs. In 2020, over 25 abduction events occurred across the region, with 136 people abducted, the latest highlights of the Dryad MSTA.
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