Image Credit: the Internet
图片源于网络
On September 11, a civilian grain vessel was struck by a supersonic anti-ship missile at about 23:05 while leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. The missile struck the vessel about 46 miles south of Snake Island in the Black Sea, marking a rare event as the first attack on a civilian grain vessel in the waters.
9月11日,一艘运粮民用船深夜驶离乌克兰切尔诺莫斯克港时,于23点05分左右在黑海蛇岛以南约75公里处遭遇超音速反舰导弹袭击。这是运粮民用船首次在黑海海域遭遇袭击。
During the attack, the vessel, carrying 26,550 tons of grain destined for Egypt, was en route in Romanian waters near the mouth of the Danube River. The ship sustained significant damage to its bow, deck, port side, cargo hold, and crane. Fortunately, the 23 crew members on board were unharmed, and the vessel was rerouted to the port of Constanța.
事发时,该船正在黑海多瑙河口附近的罗马尼亚水域航行,船上载有26,550 吨运往埃及的粮食。此次袭击导致该船船头至甲板处遭到严重损坏,左舷、货舱和起重设备受损。所幸,船上23名船员并未受伤,该船随即改道驶向康斯坦察海港。
Last year, a similar incident involving a commercial vessel occurred in the Black Sea. On November 8, 2023, a Liberian-flagged civilian ship was struck by a missile as it approached the port of Odessa, resulting in the death of a pilot and injuries to three crew members and a port worker.
去年,黑海海域也发生过类似的商船遇袭事件。2023年11月8日,一艘悬挂利比里亚国旗的散货船在驶入敖德萨港时遭遇导弹袭击,导致一名引航员遇难,另有三名船员和一名港口工人受伤。
Such attacks heighten global concerns over food supply. As a critical hub for global grain transport, the security condition in the Black Sea is concerned with the stability of global grain trade. Following the latest attack, wheat futures surged marked by U.S. market prices rising nearly 2%, reaching a two-month high.
此类袭击无疑加剧了全球市场对粮食供应的担忧。黑海作为全球粮食运输的重要枢纽,其安全状况直接关系到全球粮食贸易的稳定。上次袭击事件发生后,小麦期货价格迅速上涨,美国市场上期货价格上涨近2%,达到两个月以来的最高点。
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), civilian ships have the right to free navigation in international waters. To tackle such an escalating crisis, the global community needs to act promptly to safeguard the Black Sea shipping routes and ensure uninterrupted grain transportation. The UN and the International Maritime Organization should appeal to all parties to observe international laws and avoid targeting civilian vessels despite military conflicts. As well, the international community should bolster escort efforts for commercial ships to secure their safe passage through conflict zones. Diplomatic efforts need to be expedited to prevent further escalation that could destabilize the global food market.
根据《联合国海洋法公约》(UNCLOS),民用船只在公海享有航行自由的权利。为了应对日益加剧的危机,国际社会应当迅速采取措施,确保黑海航道的安全,保障粮食运输的畅通。联合国和国际海事组织应敦促各方遵守国际法,避免民用船只成为军事冲突的目标。与此同时,国际社会应该考虑加强对商船的护航行动,确保其在冲突地区的安全通行。外交谈判也应加快进行,以防止局势进一步升级,影响全球粮食市场的稳定。