Ukraine has reported a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial shipping and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, saying 52 civilian vessels were struck during July and the first half of August 2026.

According to the country’s infrastructure ministry, the total includes ships transporting food and other cargoes to and from Ukrainian ports, as well as vessels attacked while inside port limits.

The figures were disclosed as Keith Kellogg, a former special envoy for Ukraine under US President Donald Trump, visited the Port of Odesa with a US delegation. Ukrainian officials presented damage caused by strikes and outlined efforts to maintain port operations and keep the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor open.

Discussions during the visit covered stronger protection for ports, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and potential US investment in Ukrainian transport and logistics projects. These included proposed concession projects at the Port of Chornomorsk.

Ukraine has submitted an appeal to the International Maritime Organization, arguing that the attacks threaten seafarers, freedom of navigation and global food security. At Ukraine’s request, the IMO Secretariat circulated the appeal to member states and international and non-governmental organizations holding consultative status.

Several incidents cited by Ukraine involved fatalities among merchant crews. The AIDA was attacked on July 13 while unloading fertilizer at the Port of Pivdennyi, killing three crew members and injuring five. The following day, an attack on the ATLAS BEY at the Port of Odesa killed the captain and injured three crew members.

On July 19, the GOLDEN LEO was attacked while leaving Chornomorsk with more than 6,000 metric tons of corn. Nine crew members and a pilot were killed, and the vessel subsequently sank on July 26.

Attacks continued in August. Ukraine said drones repeatedly struck the EMIL on August 5 while it was carrying iron ore through the maritime corridor. A fire broke out and the vessel was left unseaworthy. The wheat-carrying MERA QUEEN was also attacked that day, with one Ukrainian crew member killed after the ship’s hull was damaged.

The IMO had already condemned renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. On July 13, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called on parties to conflicts to comply with international law and avoid actions that place merchant vessels, crews and supply chains at risk. The organization’s broader statement did not assign responsibility to one side and urged all parties to refrain from endangering commercial shipping.

Ukraine says that, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, attacks have damaged or partially destroyed 1,090 pieces of Ukrainian port infrastructure and 262 merchant vessels. The infrastructure ministry puts the combined number of people killed and injured at 329.

The escalation is increasing pressure on the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor, established after Russia withdrew from the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023. Ukraine says continued operation of the corridor and Odesa-area ports remains essential for its economy and for agricultural exports to international markets.