From Sochi to the Danube, Black Sea attacks hit Indian crews and trade
Intensifying military attacks in the Black Sea have resulted in significant casualties among Indian seafarers and disrupted trade routes for essential commodities like sunflower oil. Merchant vessels with Indian crews have been targeted by drones and missiles, prompting concerns over maritime safety.
Why it matters
The conflict directly impacts global supply chains and the safety of international maritime workers, specifically affecting India's trade and labor force.
Shipping attacks in the Black Sea have intensified. They now stretch from Sochi in the east to the Danube in the west, with drones straying into Romania and Moldova. The attacks have hurt Indian trade. Indian seafarers have also borne the brunt of strikes by both Russia and Ukraine.
Both countries are trade partners of India. Russia is now India’s biggest source of crude oil. Ukraine’s sunflower oil processing and export capacity has been badly hit. India used to import sunflower oil worth more than three-fourths of a billion dollars a year from Ukraine and is seeking to replace it with sunflower oil from other countries such as Russia. The oil is used extensively for cooking especially in south India.
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