Two tankers were struck under unknown circumstances in the waters of the Black Sea. These are vessels that are under sanctions for their involvement in the export of Russian oil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to maritime security companies and experts, the incidents may be the result of sabotage by Ukraine.
A month ago, Russian intelligence warned of possible sabotage in the Black Sea, and some experts believe that such actions can divert attention from ongoing major corruption scandals in the country.
A fire has broken out on board the tanker KAIROS (IMO: 9236004) in the waters of the Black Sea. The vessel was sailing towards the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and was located north of the coast of Kefken.
The shipping agency reports that the vessel may have hit a mine and is in danger of sinking.
Turkey’s Directorate of Maritime Affairs said the tanker reported an “external impact” that caused a fire 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. The directorate announced that there were 25 crew members on board. The condition of the crew is good and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene for their evacuation. Some of the crew members have already been evacuated from a nearby ship, a source familiar with the matter said.
The second tanker, VIRAT (IMO: 9832559), issued a distress signal when it was about 35 nautical miles north of the Turkish coast in the Black Sea. An explosion and fire were also reported for it.
Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkader Uraloglu confirmed the two incidents and praised the actions of Coast Guard personnel for their professional response to the evacuation. The Belize-flagged bulker NEW VICTORY (IMO: 9159050) is targeting the second stricken tanker.
Experts warn that all Black Sea countries face the potential risk of environmental disaster in the event of a full-scale oil spill, especially if larger tankers are affected.
A possible spill would have serious environmental consequences:
Mass death of marine life and birds
Coastal pollution, with the spill potentially reaching beaches and populated areas
Long-term damage to the marine ecosystem that can take decades to recover
Contamination of fish resources, rendering them unfit for consumption, with consequent heavy loss to the fishing industry
The economic and social consequences would include
A blow to tourism in the region
Cleanup and restoration costs
A threat to human health
Although in previous smaller spills, such as near the Kerch Strait, Bulgarian authorities have reported that circulation eddies in the Black Sea protect the coast, a full-scale spill would pose a significant and unpredictable risk to the entire basin.
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