Explosions Occur on Three Tankers in Mediterranean Sea, Previously Docked in Russian Ports

Over the past month, three oil tankers have been struck by unexplained explosions in various locations across the Mediterranean, marking the first such incidents involving civilian vessels in the region in decades. This was reported by Reuters on February 19, citing sources within the shipping industry and security services.

Tracking data shows that all three tankers had recently visited Russian ports.

The most recent blast occurred on February 15 in the northern Italian port of Savona. It damaged the hull of the Seajewel tanker—operated by the Greek company Thenamaris—about a meter below the waterline. A second explosion followed 20 minutes later but did not cause additional damage. Italian prosecutors are investigating the incident.

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

Another tanker, Seacharm, also operated by Thenamaris, was damaged by an explosion in late January while docked at the Turkish port of Ceyhan, according to two Reuters sources.

The third incident took place in Libya in February. The Grace Ferrum, operated by the Cyprus-based company Cymar and sailing under the Liberian flag, sustained such severe damage that a rescue operation was required.

While these incidents remain unexplained, they follow a December explosion in the engine room of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, which had been delivering supplies to Russian forces in Syria for years. The ship sank, and three crew members remain missing.

The vessel’s owner, Oboronlogistika—a subsidiary of Russia’s Ministry of Defense—claimed it was the target of a “deliberate terrorist attack.”

Earlier, an oil tanker carrying 130,000 tons of fuel oil was damaged after an explosion in the Russian port of Ust-Luga, located in the Leningrad region.