Three countries started a joint mine-hunting force in the Black Sea

1 July, 2024 Lt. Dimitrie Nicolescu (DM-29) minesweeper of the Romanian Navy. Photo from open sources

Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey started a joint mine-hunting force in the Black Sea. Bloomberg reported on this. This should increase shipping safety, in particular, for the export of grain from Ukraine.

The initiative, the first major joint action of Black Sea nations since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, is aimed at defusing mines drifting into specific areas of the Black Sea as a result of the war. Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania signed a joint agreement on January 11, 2024.

A civilian ship that exploded on a mine in the Black Sea. December, 2023.

Photo credits: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

To implement it, the countries plan to create a joint fleet that will defuse mines off their coasts. They also invited other nations to join the initiative, which remains open to joint action and the participation of mine action capabilities of other NATO member states located outside the Black Sea region.

International forces

The joint minesweeping force of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria will not be considered a NATO operation, but it will be the first major joint action by the Black Sea allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Bloomberg notes that Russia and Ukraine are key suppliers of grain, and the war has jeopardized the safe passage of cargo.

Last year, Ukraine launched its own cargo shipping route in the Black Sea after the collapse of the secure corridor agreement involving Russia, Turkey, and the UN. This has boosted exports and helped boost economic growth, but the route remains risky.

Disposal of a drifting sea mine in the Black Sea on March 28, 2022. Photo credits: Romanian Navy

The Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria emphasized that the activities of the joint mine-hunting force would not be directed against any country, and the Black Sea demining operation was expected to help improve cooperation between the participants.

The mine-hunting force will create safe conditions for civilian ships to navigate the Black Sea, minimizing the risk of explosions.