The security situation in the western Black Sea continues to deteriorate. The LPG carrier “Gas Lisbon”, transporting liquefied propane from Alexandria, Egypt, to the Ukrainian port of Reni, sustained significant damage after being struck approximately 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast. The incident occurred outside Romania’s territorial waters but in close proximity to the borders of the NATO member state.

According to Romanian President Nicușor Dan, the Liberia-flagged vessel had 17 crew members on board. Three sailors were injured in the incident and were evacuated by Romanian rescue services. Two rescue vessels operated by the Romanian Agency for the Rescue of Human Life at Sea (“ARSVOM”), along with a tugboat, were dispatched to the scene to stabilize the damaged vessel and prevent it from drifting, thereby reducing risks to maritime navigation.

President Dan stated that Romanian authorities have launched an official investigation into the circumstances of the incident. According to his preliminary assessment, the strike was “most likely linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine”. The investigation aims to establish the exact cause of the attack and identify those responsible. At the time of publication, Russian authorities had not commented on the incident. Moscow has previously denied responsibility for similar attacks, instead accusing Ukraine of carrying them out or describing such incidents as provocations.

Ukraine also blamed Russia for the attack. Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the incident as another example of strikes against civilian shipping and thanked Romanian authorities for their prompt rescue operation.

According to maritime industry sources, the “Gas Lisbon” was carrying approximately 3,800 tonnes of liquefied propane. The strike reportedly triggered a fire on board, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. Several seafarers were hospitalized with burns and other injuries.

The incident follows a series of recent attacks involving civilian vessels operating on routes connected to Ukrainian ports. Earlier reports indicated that a Turkish bulk carrier departing Odesa had been damaged, while the captain of another commercial vessel was killed in a separate strike in the Black Sea. These developments point to a growing threat to commercial shipping throughout the region.

 

Analysts note that the attack has implications extending beyond military considerations. The Danube port of Reni has become one of Ukraine’s most important alternative logistics hubs since the outbreak of the full-scale war, enabling exports and imports while bypassing the most dangerous areas of the Black Sea. Any attacks targeting vessels bound for Reni could disrupt operations along the Danube corridor, increase maritime insurance premiums, and heighten concerns among international shipping companies.

The incident is particularly sensitive because it occurred near the coast of Romania, a member of both NATO and the European Union. In recent months, Romanian authorities have repeatedly reported drone debris and other consequences of the war reaching areas close to the country's territory, increasing concerns over security on NATO’s eastern flank. Should the investigation confirm that the gas carrier was struck as a result of military action, the incident could become one of the most serious cases affecting international commercial shipping in the western Black Sea since the beginning of the conflict.

#ROMANIA

21.07.2026 03:17