Oil Tankers Leaving Russia Now Targeted For Attacks

At least four oil tankers have been hit by explosions so far this year—all of them having previously visited Russia’s territorial waters in the weeks leading up to the attacks, Alex Longley reported for Bloomberg News.

Over the weekend, the 800-foot Seajewel suffered an apparent explosion while docked at the Italian port of Savona. I Photo: Alf van Beem Wikimedia Commons

No group has claimed responsibility for the incidents, three of which occurred in the Mediterranean and one in the Baltic Sea. Shipping industry officials caution against prematurely blaming Ukraine, as Kyiv has not taken credit for the attacks.

Greek and Italian authorities have launched investigations into the matter.

There have also been other incidents involving Russian ships this year. “All indications suggest these attacks were deliberately orchestrated, but with a significant degree of sophistication,” said Munro Anderson, head of operations at Vessel Protect, a leading war-risk ship insurer.

“The big question is: by whom?”

The explosions highlight growing risks for tankers transporting Russian petroleum. They come at a time when Ukraine has admitted to attacking a pipeline carrying Kazakh oil, causing supply disruptions.

However, Anderson noted that the tanker explosions and other incidents involving Russia-linked ships do not share identical characteristics, making it difficult to determine motive or responsibility.

“Until further details emerge, any further assessment would be speculation at best,” Anderson added.

Over the weekend, the 800-foot Seajewel suffered an apparent explosion while docked at the Italian port of Savona, prompting local prosecutors to launch an anti-terrorism investigation.

The ship’s Athens-based operator, Thenamaris, described the incident as a suspected “security incident”, Alberto Brambilla also reported for Bloomberg News.