During the night of 12–13 October 2026, drones reportedly struck two merchant vessels off Bulgaria. The oil tanker MV “HS Dignity” sank, with crew members missing; the crew of MV “Chelsea-3” was evacuated.
Together with similar attacks earlier this month, these incidents show that conflict-related risks extend beyond Ukrainian and Russian ports. Commercial shipping to Romanian and Bulgarian ports continues, but heightened vigilance remains essential, including outside formally designated war-risk areas.
JWLA-035 expands the Joint War Committee’s Listed Areas; see our update of 30 September 2026. Romanian and Bulgarian territorial waters remain excluded, but other Black Sea voyages may require prior notification to insurers.
NNPC therefore recommends that Members operating in the Black Sea:
- Review voyage-specific risk assessments before entering the region, including for Romanian and Bulgarian ports.
- Monitor official security and navigational warnings and report suspicious activity or incidents without delay.
- Maintain appropriate onboard precautions, clear emergency procedures and regular ship-to-shore communication.
- Consult brokers and war-risk underwriters before committing a vessel, to confirm geographical limits, conditions and notification requirements.
As the situation may change at short notice, Members should keep voyage risks under review and prioritize crew and vessel safety. NNPC will continue to monitor developments and provide updates where appropriate.
For any questions or assistance, Members are welcome to contact the NNPC Claims Team at claims@nnpc-marine.com.
