Explosions Damage Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Seajewel in Italian Port

Two explosions occurred overnight on February 15, damaging the oil tanker Seajewel, which was moored in the port of Savona, northern Italy.

According to reports from IVG, the blasts took place while the vessel was docked and preparing to unload.

An Ukrainska Pravda investigation found out that Seajewel, which currently sails under Malta’s flag, is still listed among vessels transporting Russian oil to the EU despite sanctions imposed.

The news agency adds that the vessel is among the tankers that transported Russian cargo three times in 2024, in February, March, and May, making the ship a part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

IVG stated that the cause of the explosion remains unknown. The Savona Coast Guard is investigating the site with divers, but officials have not yet disclosed further details.

The vessel’s crew reported hearing two loud bangs, and the hull’s concave deformation suggests the possible use of explosive devices. Additionally, the damage being below the waterline, along with a nearby fish kill, further supports this theory.

On January 10, the Biden administration announced its most comprehensive sanctions package yet, aimed at Russia’s energy sector. Described as the toughest measures to date, the sanctions target Russia’s oil and liquefied natural gas industries, with officials estimating potential economic losses of billions of dollars per month.