In a concerning incident, the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria following a devastating explosion in its engine room. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed that 14 crew members were rescued and taken to Cartagena, while two individuals remain missing. The ship departed from St. Petersburg 12 days prior, reportedly carrying two cranes weighing 380 tonnes each to Vladivostok, although this has not been independently verified.
Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks Following Engine Blast in Mediterranean
Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks Following Engine Blast in Mediterranean
A Russian vessel, subject to US sanctions, has sunk after a reported explosion in its engine room.
Ursa Major was navigating in proximity to another sanctioned Russian vessel, Sparta, when the accident occurred, having been seen moving through the English Channel with reported escort last week. Recent reports from Ukrainian military intelligence indicated that Sparta was en route to Russia's naval base in Syria’s Tartous to evacuate military equipment amid the changing political landscape following Bashar al-Assad's rule. A Russian official highlighted ongoing diplomatic discussions regarding military facilities in the region.
The shipping company, Oboronlogistika, which owns Ursa Major, has previously facilitated cargo transport to Tartous. Complicating matters, the recently reported breakdown of Sparta off Portugal was resolved, yet concerns loom over Ursa Major's circumstances.
While the cause of the Ursa Major explosion remains unclear, unverified footage indicated the ship was dangerously listing in the hours leading to its sinking. Constructed in 2009 and sanctioned post Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ursa Major was deemed pivotal in delivering military cargo. The ship was primarily transporting hatch covers for icebreakers alongside essential cargo for Vladivostok's port.
As investigations continue, the implications of this incident on maritime security and the strategic movements of sanctioned Russian vessels are yet to unfold.
“Ursa Major was last reported with significant cargo and stationed in a strategically important maritime zone, raising questions about its operational status and safety measures.”
The shipping company, Oboronlogistika, which owns Ursa Major, has previously facilitated cargo transport to Tartous. Complicating matters, the recently reported breakdown of Sparta off Portugal was resolved, yet concerns loom over Ursa Major's circumstances.
While the cause of the Ursa Major explosion remains unclear, unverified footage indicated the ship was dangerously listing in the hours leading to its sinking. Constructed in 2009 and sanctioned post Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ursa Major was deemed pivotal in delivering military cargo. The ship was primarily transporting hatch covers for icebreakers alongside essential cargo for Vladivostok's port.
As investigations continue, the implications of this incident on maritime security and the strategic movements of sanctioned Russian vessels are yet to unfold.
“Ursa Major was last reported with significant cargo and stationed in a strategically important maritime zone, raising questions about its operational status and safety measures.”
