Priority Broadcast Alert – Europe and the Mediterranean

UPDATE01: Russian authorities have released additional details regarding the explosions aboard the tanker. The three blasts in the aft section resulted in one hole measuring 1×0.8m and two larger holes of 4x2m in the hull. If confirmed, this strongly suggests that the explosions were caused by limpet mines.

An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged tanker suffered explosions in the aft of the vessel while docked in the port of Ust-Luga, Russia. The tanker reportedly suffered three separate blasts while preparing to depart, resulting in the engine room flooding while the vessel was secured to the pier. The vessel’s 24 crew evacuated with no injuries and the vessel’s cargo tanks were reportedly not damaged. Authorities in Leningrad, Russia reportedly described the blasts as a “man-made incident”. Finnish authorities are also monitoring the incident in preparation for a potential oil spill from the vessel. Ambrey assesses this to be consistent with an attack but additional information is required to verify this. Ambrey is aware of recent incidents in which vessels trading from Ust-Luga with a similar trading profile have suffered multiple explosions under the waterline at the aft. The vessel was flying a flag of convenience and her ownership was obscure. The vessel’s behaviour aligned with Ambrey’s thresholds for a vessel highly likely to be investigated in connection with future sanctions designation. The vessel was not sanctioned at the time or on the Ukrainian Military Intelligence list. This incident, and others that have gone unreported, will likely initiate a review of war risk premium rates for vessels calling Russian Baltic Sea ports. Ambrey advises that shipping companies conduct asset screening assessments for all charter-party agreements and purchases, and carries out dynamic voyage risk assessments.