Istanbul, Turkey – On Thursday, November 3, 2026, the Panama‑flagged dry cargo ship ARINA A transited the Istanbul Strait under the escort of five vessels of the Turkish Coast Guard. The passage, which was captured by an aerial drone, required the temporary suspension of two‑way traffic in the narrow waterway.

ARINA A, a bulk carrier measuring approximately 190 metres in length and 30.5 metres in breadth, had been struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while sailing in the Black Sea after departing Istanbul for Russia. The UAV, identified in Turkish reports as belonging to Ukrainian forces, caused damage to the ship’s hull and led to the death of its captain, Dmitry Zhitin. The remaining 25 crew members were rescued on October 7 by the Trabzon Coast Guard Group Command and brought ashore.

The vessel’s subsequent transit through the Bosphorus was coordinated by the Coast Guard General Directorate. The escort comprised the patrol boat MARINSAL III as the lead ship, supported by rescue vessels numbered 5, 7, 10, 11 and 12. Because the convoy required a clear passage, authorities halted all two‑directional maritime traffic in the strait for the duration of the movement.

Following its exit from the strait, ARINA A is slated to be towed to a shipyard in Yalova for repairs, according to statements from the Coast Guard. The incident underscores the heightened security concerns in the Black Sea region, where UAV attacks on commercial shipping have increased since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkish officials have not disclosed the extent of the damage to ARINA A, but the decision to move the vessel through the heavily trafficked Bosphorus with a full Coast Guard escort reflects the importance of maintaining safe navigation routes. The temporary traffic suspension is a standard safety measure when large or damaged vessels require passage under special conditions.

The incident also raises questions about the protection of commercial shipping in international waters adjacent to Turkey. While the Turkish Coast Guard has successfully rescued the crew and ensured the safe passage of the damaged ship, the broader risk of UAV attacks on merchant vessels remains a concern for the maritime industry.

Source: https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/iha-saldirisinda-hasar-goren-panama-bayrakli-arina-a-gemisi-istanbul-bogazi-ndan-gecti-3924639