Greek owners urge EU to take 'immediate' action to protect shipping after Black Sea attacks

The vessels involved – Thenamaris’ Matilda and Delta Tankers’ Delta Harmony – were targeted earlier this week off the coast of Novorossiysk. No injuries were reported. The Black Sea has increasingly become a hotspot for drone attacks on vessels, with similar incidents also emerging in other regions.

“The targeting of vessels – particularly Greek-owned ships that, by extension, form part of the European-owned fleet – operating lawfully and serving the EU’s import and supply chain is completely illogical, unlawful, and without political reason,” said the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) president Melina Travlos, in a statement released late on 15 January.

“It directly undermines EU foreign policy,” she added.

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, also stressed that safeguarding seafarers remains a non-negotiable priority for the State. He noted that the ministry maintains continuous and open communication with the shipping sector to ensure the swift management of any incident.

Reuters additionally cited a ministry document issued to the industry recommending an updated assessment of threats to commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea and surrounding maritime areas.

EU urged to respond

Ms Travlos emphasised that the European Union must act “in a co-ordinated and decisive manner” to protect its shipping industry, its people, and the strategic role maritime transport plays in Europe’s prosperity.

“It must make it clear that no attack on civilian vessels is acceptable and that no threat against seafarers can be tolerated,” she said, adding that “shipping connects the world, and no geopolitical argument can justify it being violently targeted.”

Ms Travlos previously addressed the United Nations Security Council in May 2025, stressing that shipping must remain outside fields of geopolitical tension and military confrontation.