Escalating Russian and Ukrainian strikes on ships and port infrastructure in the Black Sea have killed more crew members in July than during the whole war beforehand, disrupting grain exports and stoking fears of higher food prices.
Key facts
- Russia and Ukraine attacked each other's ships and port infrastructure over the summer.
- More crew were killed in the Black Sea in July than during the entirety of the war before that month.
- The Black Sea has become the most dangerous body of water in the world for commercial shipping.
- Vessels are also still being targeted in the strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid US-Iran conflict.
- Disruption to grain exports has raised concerns of higher global food prices.
A summer of hostilities in the Black Sea has proved deadly for seafarers, as Russia and Ukraine attacked each other’s ships and port infrastructure, according to the Guardian. The strikes have prevented vital grain exports and prompted concerns that the conflict will push global food prices even higher.
More crew were killed in the Black Sea in July than during the entirety of the war before that month, the Guardian reported, as the conflict has intensified. That escalation has made the body of water the most dangerous in the world for commercial shipping.
The heightened danger comes despite ongoing threats elsewhere. The Guardian noted that vessels are still being targeted in the strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid the conflict between the US and Iran.
The disruption to shipping in the Black Sea carries particular significance because the region is a key route for grain exports. Attacks on ships and port infrastructure have interfered with those exports, raising the prospect of further increases in food prices worldwide.
The Guardian framed the summer’s violence as a marked intensification of the war, with the toll on commercial crews reaching a new peak in July and turning the Black Sea into the most dangerous waters for merchant shipping globally.
Why it matters
The Black Sea is a major artery for grain exports, so sustained attacks on ships and ports threaten to tighten global food supplies. Rising food prices would ripple out to consumers around the world, especially in countries that depend on imported grain.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Black Sea considered dangerous for shipping right now?
According to the Guardian, Russia and Ukraine have been attacking each other's ships and port infrastructure, killing more crew in July than during the entire war before that month, making it the most dangerous body of water in the world for commercial shipping.
How could this affect food prices?
The attacks have prevented vital grain exports from the Black Sea, prompting concerns that the conflict will push global food prices even higher, the Guardian reported.
Are other waterways also affected?
Yes. The Guardian noted that vessels are still being targeted in the strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid the conflict between the US and Iran.