Mine alert from Ukraine to the Black Sea - Fears of merchant shipping

Several mines from the war Ukraine seems to be floating in Black Sea, with experts expressing fears that the commercial shipping.

Russia has warned that mines have been swept away by the currents away from Ukrainian ports amid the fighting and the Turkish authorities warned the Saturday the ships to stay in distance as a group of divers were inspecting a mine in the area.

The sea mine found to be floating north of Istanbul. Fishermen first spotted the object near a dock at the top of its strait Bosporus and reported it to coast guard.

Today, Monday, groups of divers of the Turkish Armed Forces secured one mine located off the coast of its periphery Ignatia, near borders with the Bulgaria.

Turkish forces have deployed in the area and have launched a neutralization operation.

"A mine can even sink a ship," says an expert

The security and terrorism expert Abdullah Agar talking to CNN Türk describes what can happen to case collision with mine:

"It depends on the explosive power, but such a mine can sink a ship. Worse, the ship could be loaded with gas or crude oil and cause a huge explosion. I do not even want to think about what to do this meant for Istanbul, not to mention the environment", He says, according to a DW article.

Alarm for merchant shipping

Landmines also pose a direct threat to merchant shipping.

Traffic may have been reduced by about 40% since the beginning of the war, but many ships are sailing in the area, mainly the commercially, says Salih Zeki Chakir on German SWR radio.

"Ships should no longer sail at night and guards should always look for items that float with the naked eye or binoculars. The radar system can also detect metal objects floating near the ship if they are not armored. Many more things can not be done by merchant ships».

Another problem for merchant shipping, according to the expert, is that insurance premiums increase if even shipowners can still insure their ships:

"Insurance premiums for ships arriving in Bulgarian and Romanian ports are also becoming more expensive. Some British insurance companies no longer insure ships arriving in Russian ports. "So some shipowners have to take a high risk, but they have to do it because they have no choice."

Turkey is reassured

At the same time, former Admiral Cem Gurtdeniz reports that the distances are long.

"Is 350 miles from him Bosphorus in Yalta and 450 miles from Odessa. Assuming these mines travel by half mile to a mile per hour, then of course it would still be needed much time until arrive at Bosphorus».

If Girdeniz's calculation is correct, they would need it 33 days.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears reassuring about the mine issue, saying the Defense Ministry is on standby.

Experts, however, estimate that the condition is manageable only if the number of mine is small.

cnn.gr