Suspected Limpet Mine Blast Damages Greek Oil Tanker Off Libya
A Greek oil tanker was likely damaged by an external explosive device while sailing off the coast of Libya on June 27, according to a statement released by the vessel’s operator.
The vessel, Vilamoura, is registered under the Marshall Islands flag and operated by TMS Tankers, a company based in Greece. It was carrying around one million barrels of crude oil and had departed from the Libyan port of Zuetina, heading to Gibraltar, when the explosion occurred.
TMS Tankers said in its official statement on Sunday that an initial investigation revealed that the explosion, the hull damage, and the flooding of the engine room were caused by an external source, most likely an unidentified explosive device.
Sources involved in maritime security told Reuters that the blast may have been caused by a limpet mine, a type of underwater explosive often used to damage ships in sabotage attacks. If confirmed, this would be the fifth such incident reported in the region in recent months.
The explosion caused flooding in the engine room, which led the vessel to lose propulsion and become unmaneuverable, although it remained afloat. It was later towed safely to Greek waters, and has since arrived at Laconikos Bay.
TMS Tankers confirmed that all crew members are safe and in good health.
At the time of the incident, Vilamoura had been en route to deliver crude oil to Gibraltar. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed the tanker near Greece’s southern coast after the incident.
According to MarineTraffic data, the tanker had made two port calls in Russia in recent months, one at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga and another at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
A report released by British maritime risk intelligence company Dryad Global said that recent attacks on tankers with suspected limpet mines appear to be linked to vessels that had visited Russian ports. The company suggested that these incidents could be connected to geopolitical tensions arising from Western sanctions on Russia.
Russia has been facing multiple rounds of international sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The Group of Seven (G7) countries has also placed a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil exports.
In January and February, three oil tankers were damaged by explosions in separate cases, although the exact causes were not determined. Additionally, in February, a fifth tanker was damaged while anchored in Ust-Luga port, leading authorities to deploy divers to search for underwater mines around Russian port areas.
Reference: Reuters
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