Explosion on Seajewel tanker allegedly transporting Russian oil
Illustrative photo: explosions on an oil tanker in Italy (Getty Images)
On the night of February 15, 2 explosions occurred in northern Italy, after which damage was discovered on the oil tanker Seajewel. The ship is currently anchored off the coast of Savona, according to IVG.
According to the media, the ship leaked the waterline, but no oil leakage has been recorded. According to the agency, an environmental disaster was prevented thanks to metal sheets in the safety chamber that prevented oil from spilling into the sea.
According to preliminary data, no one was injured in the explosion, and the ship is not in danger of sinking. However, the crew claims that they heard two loud bangs before the explosions.
During the inspection, two hull sheets were found bent inward. Journalists believe that this may indicate the presence of two devices located on the outside of the hull.
The Savona Coast Guard is inspecting the scene with divers. Investigators are not disclosing any additional information at this time.
The port authority issued a statement reconstructing the incident as follows: “During the unloading of crude oil, the specialized personnel supervising these operations noticed some anomalies in the unloading procedure and decided, in consultation with this port office, to interrupt them for reasons of caution. The Harbour Master's office immediately implemented the procedures outlined in the port's pollution control and firefighting plans. No spills or injuries were reported. Technical investigations are currently underway on board the vessel to verify the origin of these anomalies and address them so that operations can continue safely.”
The Savona Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a case on the incident and is considering all possible versions, including a terrorist attack. The Genoa prosecutor's office and the anti-mafia and anti-terrorism department have joined the investigation. IVG reports that three facts support the explosion version: a hole below the waterline, the nature of the damage by sheets bent inward, and the death of fish in the area of the incident
The Seajewel, 245 meters long and 42 meters wide, was built in 2009 and is currently flying the Maltese flag. It arrived on Friday, February 14 from Algeria. Media reports mention the tanker as one of the vessels that continue to transport Russian oil to the European Union despite sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
Russia's shadow fleet
After the EU and the US imposed sanctions on the energy sector, Russia created the so-called shadow fleet. It consists mainly of old tankers that transport oil to other countries, circumventing the sanctions.
The European Union has already imposed restrictions on Russian shadow fleet tankers in the 15th sanctions package.
According to media reports, the EU will continue to impose sanctions on Russian tankers in the new package.
