Author: Jonathan Spicer and Jonathan Saul
ISTANBUL, Jan 8 (Reuters) – A Russia-bound oil tanker was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea, prompting it to request assistance from the Turkish coast guard and change its course, according to a notice issued by Lloyd’s Intelligence Service and another maritime security source on Thursday.
Maritime data specialist Lloyd’s List Intelligence said the Palau-flagged Elbus ship “suffered an unmanned ship and drone attack” on Wednesday that targeted its engine room and that the 25 crew members were not injured and there was no contamination.
Based on the assessment, security sources described it as a drone attack. It’s unclear who or what is behind the incident.
Shipping insurance rates rose after Ukrainian navy drones hit two Russia-bound oil tankers in the Black Sea in late November, an incident that prompted Moscow to threaten retaliation and Ankara to urge calm. Another Russian-flagged ship said in early December it had also been attacked at sea, but Kiev denied any involvement in the incident.
Ukrainian security services did not respond when asked about the incident involving Erbus.
Türkiye’s Transport Ministry was not immediately available for comment. The Russian Embassy in Ankara could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Black Sea is vital for the transport of grain, oil and petroleum products and the waters are shared by Türkiye, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania.
Lloyds informed that the ship will sail from Singapore to the Russian port of Novorossiysk on Wednesday.
Marine traffic data showed the Erbus anchored on Thursday a few kilometers from the northern Turkish port of Inebolu after changing its previous course eastward across the Black Sea.
It was anchored at Inebolo anchorage under its own power, Lloyd’s said.
Calls to the port administrator in Inebolu went unanswered.
(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul and Jonathan Saul in London; Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alex Richardson and Alison Williams)
