Damaged ARINA A Transits the Istanbul Strait
The Panama-flagged dry bulk vessel ARINA A, which sustained severe damage in a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack in the Black Sea that killed its captain, passed through the Istanbul Strait
The 190-metre-long vessel was towed from off the coast of Trabzon to Istanbul by the tugboat Marinsal III. Five additional tugboats belonging to the Directorate General of Coastal Safety accompanied the vessel during its transit through the strait. Maritime traffic in the Istanbul Strait was suspended during the passage.
In September 2026, the Panama-flagged dry bulk vessel ARINA A departed Istanbul for Russia. It was subsequently attacked by a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle in the Black Sea and sustained severe damage. The vessel’s captain, Dmitry Zhitin, was seriously injured in the attack and later died. The 25 crew members on board were evacuated and brought ashore by teams from the Trabzon Coast Guard Group Command on 7 October 2026.
The damaged vessel was towed from off the coast of Trabzon towards the Istanbul Strait by Marinsal III, a tugboat owned by Marinsal Shipping. The vessel, measuring approximately 190 metres in length, 30.5 metres in breadth and with a draft of 6.2 metres, was subject to extensive safety precautions ahead of its transit through the Istanbul Strait.
Vessel Transits the Strait Accompanied by Six Tugboats
Following the suspension of maritime traffic in the Istanbul Strait, the damaged dry bulk vessel completed its passage. In addition to Marinsal III, which was towing the vessel, five tugboats belonging to the Directorate General of Coastal Safety accompanied it: Kurtarma 10, Kurtarma 5, Kurtarma 7, Kurtarma 11 and Kurtarma 12. The passage of the large vessel under tugboat escort created striking scenes.
Vessel to Be Taken to a Shipyard in Yalova
In a statement, Marinsal Shipping said the towing operation, which began off Trabzon, was carried out under the Black Sea’s variable and harsh weather conditions. Wind, wave and route conditions were closely monitored throughout the voyage, with the safety of the vessel and personnel remaining the top priority.
The company also stated that the vessel’s passage through the Istanbul Strait was carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities and the tugboats involved. The damaged vessel is expected to be towed by Marinsal III to a shipyard in Yalova. The towing operation, which began off Trabzon, will be completed once the vessel reaches its designated delivery point in Yalova.
