3 Panamanian-flagged ships hit since start of Ukraine war: Official

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Three Panama-flagged ships have been hit by Russian missiles in the Black Sea since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said Wednesday.

"We know that we had three vessels that suffered attacks by Russian missiles, but the crew is all safe," Noel Arauz told reporters during a public event.

According to Arauz, one of the ships sank, and although the other two remain afloat, they suffered significant material damage that hinders their operation.

A day after Russian military action began in Ukraine, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Namura Queen was hit by a missile in Port Pivdenny near Odessa, Ukraine, with no record of injuries, reported the AMP, which issued an alert to the ships under its flag that remained in waters between Ukraine and Russia.

"Those Panamanian vessels in Ukrainian ports or transiting through the area should maintain maximum vigilance and increase safety conditions on board to protect the vessel and crew," it warned in a statement.

​​The other two affected ships were Lord Nelson and Helt. The AMP did not provide the dates when they were hit.

Arauz also denounced that the Russian navy is not allowing between 200 and 300 ships from different parts of the world to leave the Black Sea, including 10 from Panama.

Panama is currently the country with the largest number of vessels in the world, with about 8,000, which represents 17% of the world fleet, said the AMP.