Maran Tankers Suezmax struck by 'unknown object' off Novorossiysk 

The Greek owner said in a statement on 14 March that 2017-built Maran Homer was sailing outside Russian territorial waters and awaiting instructions to enter the Caspian Pipeline Consortium Terminal in Novorossiysk when it was hit at around 04:35 local time. 

The vessel was scheduled to load a cargo of Kazakh crude oil.

“There were no injuries and the crew is safe. Only minor material damage was reported to the ship’s deck and deck equipment. The tanker was in ballast and there has been no environmental pollution,” Maran Tankers said.

Maran Homer departed Novorossiysk later on the day of the incident.

According to the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, 24 seafarers were on board the Greek-flagged vessel. Minister Vasilis Kikilias told Greek television over the weekend that the incident is suspected to be linked to wider geopolitical pressures in the region, as well as the recent easing of some sanctions on Russian crude.

Notably, the United States has issued a temporary authorisation allowing countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea, following a similar measure for India earlier this month amid Strait of Hormuz constraints.

The Union of Greek Shipowners president, Melina Travlos, had urged the European Union in January to take immediate action to protect the shipping industry following attacks on Greek-owned tankers off Novorossiysk.

The Black Sea has increasingly become a hotspot for drone attacks on vessels. Attention, however, has now shifted to the Persian Gulf, following the outbreak of the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran.