KMAX RULER

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Russian attacks on merchant ships raise international concerns

The Russian attack on Oct 9 with ballistic missiles against various infrastructures in the port of Chornomorsk, a few kilometers south of Odessa, caused the death of six people, injuries to 11 others and damage to the 'Shui Spirit', according to Ukrainian government sources. This was the third attack on maritime commercial interests in Ukrainian Black Sea ports in four days and the fifth merchant ship hit by the Russian military in the space of a month, The attack followe the one on Oct 7, when the cargo m/v 'Optima' was hit by a Russian missile while operating in another port in the Greater Odessa region, causing the death of a Ukrainian port worker and injuries to five crew members of the ship. Also on Oct 6, an Iskander M missile hit the cargo m/v 'Paresa' in the port of Yuzhny. The attack caused significant damage, although there were no casualties among the crew. Russian authorities have officially acknowledged the attack on the 'Paresa', arguing that it was carrying war material destined for Ukraine, a claim that has been denied by the company that manages the ship, AK Shipping, based in Greece. According to its executives, the ship arrived at the port of Yuzhny in ballast and was prepared to load corn. For the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Oleksii Kuleba, these attacks are a deliberate attempt to intimidate and hinder the work of the Ukrainian maritime corridor. He assured that maritime trade, which has operated relatively smoothly since the creation of the Ukrainian corridor in August 2023, now faces a constant threat from Russia. This corridor was established after Moscow withdrew from a UN-led plan and has been key to the Ukrainian economy, allowing more than 2,500 commercial transits from the ports of Odesa, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk. Since then, Russia has frequently attacked the port infrastructure of the three terminals, as well as other ports along the Danube. Direct attacks on ships had been very rare until September, and have since become increasingly common. The last fatality before these latest attacks on ships in the Black Sea dates back to Nov 2023, when a missile hit the 'KMax Ruler', killing the pilot on board. This recent escalation has raised international concern, as Russian attacks are not only targeting port infrastructure, but also merchant ships.

All Pinoys back home

All 25 Filipinos of the 'Kmax Ruler', which had been hit by a Russian missile when entering the port of Pivdennyi, are now back in the Philippines. Eight Filipino crew members were repatriated on Dec 8. The DMW greeted them at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. With their arrival, all 25 Filipino crew members were back in the country. The first batch of repatriates had arrived on Nov 25, followed by a group of 14 on Dec 2. The bulk carrier was supposed to transport iron ore to China.

17 crew members repatriated

17 of the 25 all-Filipino crew members of the 'KMax Ruler', which had hit by a Russian missile while docked at the port of Pivdennyi, have returned home. The crew’s manning agency paid the costs of their return to the country as well as transit and accommodations on their way home to their respective provinces. They were also due additional insurance and other benefits from their manning and shipping agencies. All repatriated crew members were provided initial medical check-ups, psychosocial assessments, and an initial amount of P10,000 in financial assistance. 14 other Filipino seafarers returned home on Dec 2 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. A total of three Filipino seafarers were hurt as the Engine Trainee suffered a fracture, while the ship’s captain and 3rd mate sustained minor injuries.