Explosions Rock Two Sanctioned Tankers in Black Sea
Two Russian shadow fleet tankers were rocked by blasts before catching fire in the Black Sea near Turkey’s Bosphorus strait, Turkish authorities reported Friday.
The first tanker, the Gambian-flagged Kairos, caught fire approximately 28 miles off the coast of Turkey’s Kocaeli province. The Transport Ministry attributed the fire to “an external impact,” without providing further details. The 274-meter-long Kairos suffered an explosion in the Black Sea while en route from Egypt to Russia.
Crew Evacuated as Fire Rages
Within the hour, the maritime authority reported that a second tanker, Virat, was “struck” while sailing in the Black Sea about 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. All 20 crew members aboard the Virat were safe, although heavy smoke was reported in the engine room. The maritime authority dispatched rescue teams to the scene to provide assistance.
The Kairos also suffered an explosion before catching fire, with all 25 crew members safely evacuated. Kocaeli Governor Ilhami Aktas said efforts to extinguish the fire were continuing, describing it as “a large fire.”
Sanctioned Vessels Identified
The OpenSanctions database, which tracks people or organisations involved in sanctions evasion, described the vessels as “shadow fleet” – or vessels used to evade sanctions imposed on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Both Kairos and Virat are listed as ships subject to sanctions imposed against Russia.
Investigations Underway
Aktas would not comment on what caused the fires, including whether they may have been struck by sea mines. He said authorities would issue a clearer statement once their inquiries are completed. The maritime authority posted distant shots of smoke rising from the area where the Kairos caught fire.
Background on Sanctioned Vessels
The Virat was anchored north of the Bosphorus, not far from its current position, on November 4. The Kairos’ last position was on November 26 south of the Dardanelles Strait connecting the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
The United States sanctioned the Virat in January this year, followed by the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada, according to the OpenSanctions website. Similarly, the EU sanctioned the Kairos in July this year, followed by the UK and Switzerland.
Environmental Concerns
The shadow tanker fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the Kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners and poses significant environmental threats, OpenSanctions says.
Original Article: Russian shadow fleet tankers explode in Black Sea: Two sanctioned vessels burst into flames near Turkey’s Bosphorus strait — Co