It seems we have another incident to add to the growing list of “interesting developments” at sea, involving vessels with links to Russia. This time, it’s an oil tanker carrying diesel that has suffered four external explosions near Dakar, Senegal. The ship’s manager, Besiktas Shipping, confirmed the event, stating that seawater entered the engine room of the “Mersin,” but thankfully, the crew is safe, and there’s been no reported pollution. This is particularly noteworthy because it marks the third such incident in just a few days, all involving ships that have been involved in the movement of Russian petroleum.
The previous incidents, occurring late last week, took place in the Black Sea and involved empty tankers.… Continue reading
On November 1st, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil terminal and tanker in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, resulting in five strikes and significant damage to port infrastructure. The attack, confirmed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, disabled at least four piers and caused a fire on a tanker, impacting a critical hub for Russian oil exports. Ukrainian officials stated the strikes would have long-term consequences, affecting shipping and insurance costs. This marks the second time the Tuapse terminal, operated by Rosneft, has been hit, as Kyiv continues its strategy of targeting Russian oil infrastructure to disrupt its war efforts.
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Overnight on Sunday, drones struck oil facilities at the Tuapse port on Russia’s Black Sea coast, resulting in a major fire on an oil tanker. Multiple sources confirmed the attack, with Russian authorities attributing it to a “drone crash” that damaged port infrastructure. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) later claimed responsibility, stating their Alpha Special Operations Center targeted the tanker and loading infrastructure to limit Russia’s oil income. This strike is part of a larger Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil facilities, which have previously targeted the Tuapse refinery to reduce Moscow’s refining capacity.
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French military forces have boarded the oil tanker Boracay, suspected of involvement in drone flights that led to the closure of Danish airports. The tanker, which has links to Russia and is part of the “shadow fleet,” was intercepted while carrying crude oil from Russia to India. Two crew members are in custody as French authorities investigate the vessel’s nationality and lack of cooperation, which follows drone sightings and incursions that have prompted European leaders to develop defenses against such threats. The incident has raised concerns of potential Russian involvement, resulting in the Danish prime minister declaring that Europe faces a “hybrid war.”
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Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthis, a surprising revelation has emerged: the Houthis are operating a large oil tanker, the Yemen, originally purchased by the UN for $55 million. The vessel was intended to prevent an environmental disaster by offloading oil from a decaying tanker, the FSO Safer. Despite the UN’s efforts, the Yemen has reportedly been used to store Russian oil, violating international sanctions. Furthermore, the Houthis have utilized the tanker to load and transfer oil, drawing criticism from the UN, while Israel has targeted the Yemen’s infrastructure with airstrikes.
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Finland’s boarding of a Russian oil tanker, the Eagle S, carrying a full load of unleaded gasoline, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Baltic Sea. The incident followed the mysterious outage of power and data cables, raising suspicions of sabotage and prompting a criminal investigation by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation into aggravated criminal mischief.
The action taken by Finnish authorities directly addresses the suspected involvement of the tanker in Russia’s shadow fleet, used to circumvent sanctions and export oil. This decisive move, a direct response to what appears to be a deliberate act of disruption, sets a precedent for future actions against similar vessels operating in the region.… Continue reading
In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, an oil tanker has been set ablaze after a missile attack by the Houthi rebels, according to the firm Trafigura. This act of aggression is not only concerning but also incredibly dangerous. Attacking oil ships poses a significant threat not only to the region but also to global trade and stability.
The timing of this attack is particularly inflammatory. Europe is already struggling to secure oil supplies due to the war in Ukraine. Targeting oil tankers could potentially push the Houthi conflict over the edge, exacerbating an already dire situation. Interfering with world trade is never a wise move and can result in severe consequences for those involved.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker