Explosions near Turkey: two tankers of the Russian 'shadow fleet' caught fire

Incident with tankers near Turkey

According to ХВИЛЯ: Two tankers of the Russian 'shadow fleet' caught fire near the coast of Turkey after explosions. The tanker Kairos, which was heading from Egypt to Novorossiysk, and the tanker Virat, which had been idle in the Black Sea for nearly a year, are both under international sanctions. Both vessels are also flagged under Gambia.

The tanker Kairos is listed in the sanctions lists of the UK and the EU. At the time of the incident, both tankers were empty. The crew of the tanker Kairos consisted of 25 people, while the crew of the tanker Virat numbered 20 people. The vessel Virat was blacklisted by the US OFAC, and it was reported in the port of Sevastopol in June of this year.

Costs and consequences of the incident

Russia has spent about $10 billion to create a 'shadow fleet', which numbered approximately 940 vessels by early 2025. The cleanup of a major oil spill that could result from the incident may cost up to €1.4 billion. Since February 2022, more than 50 incidents involving 'shadow fleet' tankers have been recorded. The US has imposed sanctions on more than 180 oil tankers, while the EU plans to expand its 'blacklist' to 568 vessels. Canada has also imposed restrictions against about 100 ships.

Andrius Kubilius, former Prime Minister of Lithuania, noted that the 'shadow fleet poses a whole spectrum of threats to Europe.'

The incident with tankers near Turkey highlights the risks associated with the activities of such vessels in international waters. This incident serves as an important reminder of the complex situation in the oil market and the impact of sanctions on the operations of Russian ships. The explosions could lead to environmental consequences and further escalate tensions between countries that impose sanctions on Russia. The sharp increase in incidents involving 'shadow fleet' tankers indicates that restrictions do not always manage to curb the activities of such vessels, raising concerns among the international community.