A civilian vessel registered under the Panamanian flag was struck by a military drone while docked at a Ukrainian port. The Panamanian Maritime Authority confirmed the attack occurred in Odesa, with no injuries reported among the crew or passengers.
In a brief statement released Saturday, the authority said it was monitoring the situation involving the roll-on/roll-off passenger ship. Preliminary reports indicate the attack happened while the ship was berthed, though an exact timeline was not provided.
The maritime authority activated its standard response protocols immediately after being notified. Officials emphasized their ongoing oversight of the incident through relevant offices.
“The Panamanian Maritime Authority, as a state entity responsible for the Panamanian ship registry, communicates that it is aware of and monitoring the incident that has affected a vessel under its flag.” [Translated from Spanish]
Attack Part of Wider Regional Assault
This maritime incident coincides with a major wave of attacks across Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces launched over 450 suicide drones and 30 missiles of various types the previous night.
The southern region, including the area around the Port of Odesa, was a primary target. Ukrainian energy infrastructure sustained significant damage during the assault.
Panama’s registry, one of the world’s largest, includes over 8,800 vessels. The global fleet under its flag totals approximately 249.1 million gross tons. This scale makes Panamanian-flagged ships common in international waters, including conflict zones.
This is not an isolated event for the registry. In March of last year, Panamanian authorities reported similar incidents where drones and missiles hit two of its flagged vessels in Russian and Ukrainian ports. One was a bulk carrier, the other a container ship.
Protocols Activated for Vessel Safety
The authority’s statement confirmed the immediate activation of established safety and response protocols. These procedures are designed to manage crises affecting Panamanian-flagged assets anywhere in the world.
“The passenger/roll-on-roll-off cargo ship was attacked by a military drone while it remained docked in the port of Odesa, Ukraine. Fortunately, no injuries were registered.” [Translated from Spanish]
Officials did not disclose the vessel’s name or its specific cargo. The use of an Unmanned aerial vehicle (military drone) in this attack highlights the evolving threats to civilian maritime traffic. Panama has recently explored domestic applications for drone technology, including a medical drone delivery program for remote communities.
The maritime authority’s response leverages existing frameworks designed for this type of international incident. Their focus remains on crew safety and coordinating with local port authorities.
Global shipping registries like Panama’s offer flags of convenience, providing legal and administrative services. This system now faces continuous challenges from regional conflicts that endanger civilian ships.
Maritime analysts expect continued scrutiny of safety protocols for vessels near the Black Sea. The incident underscores the persistent risks in the region for international commerce and transport.