SEATTLE (Oil Monster): A marine drone struck a crude oil tanker in the Black Sea near the Bosphorus Strait early Thursday, triggering an explosion and raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the region. The vessel, identified as Altura, had departed from Novorossiysk Port carrying nearly 1 million barrels of Russian crude.
Turkey’s Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed that all 27 crew members were safe. The incident occurred approximately 18 nautical miles from the strait, a critical shipping corridor linking the Black Sea to global markets via the Mediterranean.
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Authorities believe the drone strike targeted the tanker’s engine room, aiming to disable the vessel. The ship, flagged in Sierra Leone and sanctioned by both the European Union and the United Kingdom, was reportedly almost fully laden at the time of the attack.
Turkey’s coastguard and naval units were swiftly deployed to secure the area and ensure navigational safety. The incident highlights escalating risks in the Black Sea, where drone warfare has intensified amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Rising attacks on oil tankers have already pushed up insurance costs and heightened geopolitical tensions across key global shipping routes.
