A series of unexplained explosions have struck three oil tankers in the Mediterranean over the past month. This is the first incident of its kind involving civilian vessels in the region in decades.
All three ships had recently docked at Russian ports, according to sources in the shipping industry and security services, Reuters reported on February 19.
A Wave of Explosions
The latest explosion took place on February 15 in the northern Italian port of Savona, damaging the Seajewel tanker, which is operated by the Greek shipping company Thenamaris. The blast tore through the hull just a meter below the waterline. A second explosion followed 20 minutes later, but authorities have not disclosed whether it caused further damage. Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Seajewel is part of Russia’s "shadow fleet", used to bypass Western sanctions.
The ship has been transporting Russian oil to the EU despite restrictions, with tracking data confirming it made three trips from Russian ports in February, March, and May of 2024.
Another tanker, Seacharm, also operated by Thenamaris, suffered an explosion in late January while docked in the Turkish port of Ceyhan, according to Reuters sources.
A third vessel, the Grace Ferrum, operated by the Cyprus-based company Cymar and sailing under a Liberian flag, was hit by a powerful blast off the coast of Libya in February, causing such severe damage that a rescue operation was required.
Linked to Previous Attacks
These explosions follow a December 2024 blast that sank the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, a vessel reportedly delivering supplies to Russian forces in Syria.
The explosion occurred in the engine room, leaving three crew members missing. Russia’s Oboronlogistika, a company owned by the country’s Ministry of Defense, called the incident a "deliberate terrorist attack."
Additionally, another oil tanker carrying 130,000 tons of fuel oil was damaged in a blast at Russia’s Ust-Luga port in the Leningrad region, further fueling speculation that these incidents may be connected.
According to news reports, investigations are still ongoing. Security analysts warn that if these attacks continue, they could destabilize vital shipping routes and escalate tensions across the Mediterranean and beyond.
