U.S. Maritime Advisory 2026-003

Threat Type: Military Combat Operations
Geographic Area: Black Sea and Sea of Azov

1. References:

a) NATO Shipping Centre Recommends on Black Sea (https://shipping.nato.int/nsc/media-centre/news-archive/2025/nato-shipping-centre-recommends-on-black-sea).

b) NAVAREA III Warnings in Force: https://armada.defensa.gob.es/ihm/Aplicaciones/Navareas/Index_Navareas_xml_en.html.

2. Issue: Since February 2022, and as recently as January 2026, commercial vessels have reportedly been struck by projectiles and experienced explosions in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Vessels have also reportedly been struck by drones and unmanned vehicles. Additionally, there have been reports of moored and drifting naval mines. While some past actions may have targeted specific commercial vessels due to their association with certain countries or their activity, the potential remains for miscalculation or misidentification, resulting in a high risk of damage to commercial vessels in the region.

3. Guidance: U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in these waters are advised to exercise caution; conduct a risk assessment; review security measures; review current NATO Shipping Centre, NAVAREA III, and other coastal broadcast warnings; and incorporate appropriate protective measures into their vessel security plans.

In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, U.S.-flagged commercial vessels should immediately notify the NATO Shipping Centre, the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center, and the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) detachment and activate the Ship Security Alert System. U.S.-flagged commercial vessels are also encouraged to participate in the NATO Shipping Centre’s Mediterranean Voluntary Reporting Scheme. Reporting entails contacting the NATO Shipping Centre when entering or departing the Mediterranean Sea and/or departing a port in the Mediterranean Sea. The preferred reporting method is online using the “Mediterranean Reporting Scheme – Format A” link at https://shipping.nato.int/nsc. Alternatively, the forms can be downloaded, filled in, and submitted to the NATO Shipping Centre at the email address below.

In accordance with 33 C.F.R. §101.305, all suspicious activities, breaches of security, and transportation security incident events must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at the phone number or email address below.

U.S. mariners in this area are advised to consult Department of State Travel Advisories at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. All American citizens abroad should inform the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of their plans to transit the area and/or update their information via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at: https://step.state.gov/step/.

4. Contact Information:

a) NATO Shipping Centre (NSC): info@shipping.nato.int or +44 (0) 1923-956-574. NSC Advisories and warnings can be found at https://shipping.nato.int/nsc.

b) U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center: +1-703-313-5900 or https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/contact/gps-problem-report.

c) U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center: +1-800-424-8802 or hqs-smb-nrc@uscg.mil.

d) U.S. Naval Forces Europe Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS): +39 081 568 4924 (emergency) / +39 081 568 5521 or M-NA-CNE-CNA-C6F-NCAGS@us.navy.mil.

e) For maritime industry questions about this advisory, contact GMCC@uscg.mil. Supplemental information may also be found on the MARAD Office of Maritime Security website at: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/maritime-security.

5. Cancellation of Prior Advisory: This Advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2025-011 and will automatically expire on August 27, 2026.

For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci.