The world’s top container shipper MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. has suspended new bookings to and from Russia’s Novorossiysk port with immediate effect after one of its vessels was attacked by a drone. The decision follows a recent strike on the MSC ULSAN III while it was en route to Novorossiysk, MSC said in a notice to customers seen by Bloomberg News. The company didn’t say when the incident occurred.

MSC’s move highlights the growing risks for commercial shipping in the Black Sea amid the war in Ukraine. The attack on the MSC ULSAN III marks a direct threat to civilian vessels, prompting the suspension to ensure crew and cargo safety.

The suspension affects new bookings only, with existing shipments likely still being processed. MSC has not provided a timeline for resuming services, leaving shippers to seek alternatives for routes to and from Novorossiysk.

This incident underscores the broader impact of the conflict on global trade, particularly in the Black Sea region, where drone attacks have become a recurring hazard for commercial maritime operations.