Blast Hits Sanctioned Tanker Off Turkey’s Coast, Rescue Underway
A blast rocked a tanker from Russia‘s shadow fleet in the Black Sea near Turkey’s Bosphorus strait on Friday, causing a fire in the engine room, according to Tribeca shipping agency. The incident occurred when the empty tanker, Kairos, was en route to Russia’s Novorossiysk port, 28 nautical miles off the Turkish shore.
The Kairos, sailing under the Gambian flag and in ballast at the time of the incident, is one of several ships subject to sanctions imposed against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The ship’s crew, consisting of 25 personnel, was evacuated by rescue tugboats and coast guards dispatched to assist.
Crew Evacuated as Tanker Sinks
Reports indicate that the Kairos may have struck a mine and be in danger of sinking. Some of the crew were evacuated by a nearby ship, according to a shipping source. The condition of the 25 personnel on board is good, rescue units having been dispatched to the area for their evacuation.
Shipping traffic through the strait continued uninterrupted, with Turkey’s Maritime Affairs Directorate stating that “the situation is under control.” The agency added that it was working closely with international authorities to ensure a safe and efficient response to the incident.
International Sanctions Implications
The Kairos is one of several vessels subject to sanctions imposed against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The ship’s involvement in this incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by international authorities in enforcing these sanctions, particularly in the context of Russia’s shadow fleet.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact global shipping traffic and the broader implications for international sanctions enforcement.
Original Article: Blast hits sanctioned tanker off Turkey’s coast, rescue underway — Theprint