On Friday, two sanctioned tankers caught fire in the Black Sea following reports of external impacts near the Turkish coast. Fortunately, all crew members aboard were reported safe as Turkish rescue teams promptly responded to both incidents. The first tanker, named Kairos, was empty and on its way to Russia’s Novorossiysk port when it experienced a fire approximately 28 nautical miles offshore. Turkish authorities reported that all 25 crew members were unharmed and successful evacuations were made.
According to shipping agency Tribeca, the fire originated in the engine room about 52 miles north of the Bosphorus Strait. There are indications that the vessel may have struck a mine, raising concerns of potential sinking. Notably, Kairos is under sanctions imposed by the UK and the EU due to allegations of transporting Russian oil. Maritime analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann highlighted that this vessel is flagged stateless and lacks valid insurance or safety certification.
Later that same day, a second tanker, Virat, reported being struck approximately 35 nautical miles offshore. Smoke was detected in its engine room, but all 20 crew members were found to be safe. This tanker has also been sanctioned by the U.S. and EU for similar reasons involving Russian oil shipments. Despite these incidents, shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait remained unaffected.
The so-called "dark fleet" refers to vessels operating without proper oversight, often to evade international sanctions. Such ships raise significant environmental and safety risks due to their lack of insurance and certification, highlighting growing concerns in international waters.
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