MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. has suspended new cargo bookings to and from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a drone attack involving the container ship MSC ULSAN III.

The vessel was sailing toward Novorossiysk when the incident occurred. According to Bloomberg, the booking suspension took effect immediately as MSC assesses security conditions in the region.

The carrier has not provided the date of the attack or identified who was responsible. It has also not disclosed whether MSC ULSAN III sustained damage in the incident.

MSC has instructed customers with import or export cargo affected by the suspension to contact its agency in Russia. The agency will assist customers in arranging alternative logistics solutions while the restriction remains in place.

The company normally operates regular weekly services through Novorossiysk. Those services are expected to resume when the security situation allows, although MSC has not provided a timetable for restarting operations or accepting new bookings at the port.

The move comes as commercial shipping in the Black Sea faces heightened security risks. Drone-related attacks have increasingly disrupted maritime activity in the region, creating operational uncertainty for carriers, vessels and cargo interests.

MSC continues to serve other ports in Russia, including St. Petersburg. The current suspension applies to its Novorossiysk operations, which will remain halted pending an improvement in local security conditions.

Further details about the attack, including its timing, the extent of any impact on the vessel and the duration of the booking suspension, have not been made available.