Norwegian Shipping Firm Denies Moscow's Claim It Refused To Help Russian Crew

A Norwegian shipping company refuted an accusation by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, that it failed to assist sailors from a sinking Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean, Andrew Osborn and Dmitry Antonov reported for Reuters.

Oslo-based Bulkship Management AS, which operates the Oslo Carrier 3, denied the allegations and stated that it provided assistance. I Photo: Bulkship

Medvedev had alleged that the Norwegian-flagged vessel, Oslo Carrier 3, neglected to rescue sailors from the Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship conducting missions for the Russian Defense Ministry.

The Ursa Major sank between Spain and Algeria after three explosions breached its hull in what its owner, Oboronlogistika, described as "an act of terrorism." Fourteen of the ship’s 16 crew members evacuated to a lifeboat.

Oslo-based Bulkship Management AS, which operates the Oslo Carrier 3, denied the allegations and stated that it provided assistance.

"The MRCC (Spain's Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center) instructed the Master not to take the crew on board as a rescue boat was en route," the company said in a statement.

It added that the lifeboat was secured alongside their vessel until the rescue boat arrived, noting that the weather was favorable, none of the crew were injured, and there was no imminent danger.

The company also shared photographs showing the lifeboat alongside the Oslo Carrier 3 and a Spanish vessel towing it away.