Ukraine Attacks Shadow Fleet Tankers Off Turkish Coast
UKRAINE has attacked two shadow fleet tankers off the Turkish coast in a dramatic intensification of conflict in the Black Sea region.
The Gambia-flagged, 150,000 dwt crude oil tanker Kairos (imo-9236004/”>IMO: imo-9236004/”>9236004) and Gambia-flagged, 115,000 dwt sanctioned product tanker Virat (imo-9832559/”>IMO: imo-9832559/”>9832559) experienced explosions on the evening of Friday, November 28 off the Turkish coast. Kairos was attacked close to the northern end of the Bosporus, while Virat was attacked further east in the Black Sea.
Both tankers were headed for Russian ports in ballast when they were hit. Ukrainian security services have taken responsibility for the attacks and circulated a video which shows unmanned craft heading towards the vessels, before explosions are seen.
Critical Damage and Crew Evacuation
Both tankers sustained “critical damage” and were “effectively taken out of service”, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement. The aft portion of Kairos ignited following the attack and was not extinguished until November 30, Turkish officials confirmed.
Virat was attacked again on the morning of Saturday, November 29, and has since been towed away from the scene towards the Turkish coast. All crew on both vessels have been accounted for. All 25 crew members of Kairos were evacuated by Turkish coastguard.
Maritime Security Analyst Warns of Escalation
Control Risks maritime security analyst Arran Kennedy said that together with a Ukrainian attack that temporarily shut down export operations at the CPC terminal at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, which exports Kazakh product, this represented an unprecedented intensity in Ukrainian action at sea.
“In response to the overt attacks in the Black Sea, Russia will likely retaliate against Ukrainian ports, as well as Ukraine-bound and Ukraine-origin shipping in the Black Sea,” Kennedy told Lloyd’s List.
Original Article: Russia likely to retaliate following Ukraine attacks on shadow fleet tankers — Lloyd’s List