Oil tanker Kairos, believed to be part of Russia’s sanction-dodging “shadow fleet,” caught fire on Nov. 28 after an explosion in the Black Sea near the Bosporus Strait, Reuters reported.
The vessel, which was empty at the time of the incident, suffered an “external impact” while en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk about 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. A blast in the engine room ignited a fire, and Turkish rescue teams evacuated all 25 crew members.
Firefighting Efforts
Turkey’s Maritime Affairs Directorate reported that the vessel was damaged beyond repair, with Shipping agency Tribeca stating that Kairos likely hit a naval mine and faces a risk of sinking. Rescue tugs and the Turkish Coast Guard were dispatched to assist in extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the vessel.
International Sanctions
Both Kairos and another tanker, Virat, which was damaged in a separate explosion in the Black Sea, are under international sanctions as part of the “shadow fleet.” Bloomberg reported that Virat was also affected by an explosion, further highlighting concerns over the safety and security of these vessels.
Russian Propaganda
Russian propaganda agency TASS later said rescuers had evacuated the entire crew of Kairos and claimed that no Russian nationals were on board. However, international sanctions remain in place due to the vessel’s suspected involvement with Russia’s sanction-dodging efforts.
Despite the challenges faced by the firefighting efforts, Turkish authorities have managed to contain the situation, ensuring the safety of all 25 crew members. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and consequences associated with the “shadow fleet” and its alleged activities in the Black Sea region.
Original Article: Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker on fire in Black Sea — Nv