Suspected provocation of sabotage as a mystery explosions hit the fat tankers

Unlock the editor’s digestion free

FT editor Roula Khalaf, chooses his favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.

A number of mysterious limpet mine attacks on fat tankers have shaken the shipping world by calling for speculations that explosions are part of the state-supported provocation campaign.

This year, five ships were deliberately shot by explosions, the last event, the engine room of the Greek tanker, the engine room of the engine last week, vilamoura engine room.

All ships called in Russian ports in the weeks of the attacks, some security experts suggested that Ukraine claims that they were in the explosions. When Kyiv did not comment on the incidents, security forces have a secret action of Russian interests.

A security adviser in the sector initially said that all the fingers “all fingers are pointed to Ukraine. However, the differences in the nature of the attack on Vilamoura – did not hit its trunk, but the potential provocatelists created other theories.

Four of the ships were called ports in Libya ports, a country in Libya, which rely on revenues from oil transportation. There is also a record of removal from Malta to take the supply of all the tankers.

Last week, the Vilamoura attack followed in February and three in January and three with a similar incident. Although most of the events are in the Mediterranean, a tanker was shot in the Baltic Sea.

Martin Kelly, Sea Safety Specialists President EOS Risk Group, said there are some “some” similarities between the latest incident and earlier.

“Libya remains alternative opportunities, including actors and opportunities and maybe other state actors who are motivated,” Kelly said.

Prior to the recent explosion, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the United Nations International Sea Organization, expressed concern over the blasts last month.

“I will confirm that we will watch these events and research closely,” he said.

Four of the ships belonged to the well-known Greek and Cypriot shipowners. Last week, Vilamoura, George Economou, is part of a shipping entrepreneur’s Cardiff Group.

Seacharm, Turkey and Seajewel in January, in February, in Italy, both in Italy and Both Nicolas Martinos are controlled by Martinos.

Grace Ferrum, who has canceled Libya in February, belongs to Cyprus cymare.

Koala was damaged in the Azerbaijani port of Russia in February. The ship was put under sanctions by the EU for the correct transportation of Russian oil in May.

Russia’s oil violated G7 rules by carrying Russian oil from Russia, more than $ 60. The ship’s tracking information shows that the ship was attacked in Russian ports managed by oil produced in Kazakhstan.

TMS tankers confirmed that the ship was “explosion in the engine room” while carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil to Zuwetina in Libya. There was no injury or pollution.

“The engine room was flooded and the ship lost maneuvering, but the confidence of water was stopped and stable,” he said.

Thinaamaris also suffered from the beginning of this year, “security events at different points in various geographical areas in the Mediterranean.”

“Thoweramaris is always in accordance with international and European rules and regulations, and fully cooperates with the relevant authorities to support its ongoing research.”

Additional report: Fabrice deprecia in Kiev