A marine drone struck the crude oil tanker ALTURA, which had departed from Russia's port of Novorossiysk carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Thursday, according to Turkey's transportation minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu [1]. The vessel, flagged in Sierra Leone and operated by a Turkish company, was targeted just outside Turkish territorial waters, about 18 nautical miles (33 km) from the Bosphorus, a key commodities-shipping channel [1]. Turkey condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli stating that the incident was of great concern and that all 27 crew members were in good health [1]. The attack was believed to have aimed at disabling the engine room of the vessel [1]. Ship-tracking and Refinitiv AIS data confirmed the vessel was almost fully laden and sanctioned by the European Union and Britain [1]. Keceli emphasized that the attack violated international law and posed serious risks to life, property, navigation, and the environment in the Black Sea, warning that Turkey reserved the right to take necessary measures under international law to protect its economic interests [1]. Turkey's defense ministry highlighted ongoing risks from drones in the Black Sea, especially given their extensive use in the Russia-Ukraine war, including the possibility of drones losing control and drifting towards the Turkish coast [1]. Previous incidents in the region have led to increased shipping insurance rates and heightened tensions, with Ankara urging both Kyiv and Moscow to avoid attacks near Turkish waters [1]. The registered owner of the vessel is China-based Sea Grace Shipping Ltd, and the manager is Turkey-based Pergamon Denizcilik [1]. There was no immediate comment from Moscow or Kyiv regarding the incident [1].
CONCLUSION
The drone attack on the Turkish-operated oil tanker ALTURA underscores ongoing security risks in the Black Sea, particularly for vessels departing Russian ports. While the crew remained unharmed, Turkey has condemned the incident and signaled potential measures to protect its interests. The event may contribute to elevated shipping insurance rates and continued volatility in Black Sea maritime operations.