Sanctioned Tankers Kairos and Virat Sustain External Impacts in Black Sea North of Bosphorus Strait
The Kairos, a 274-meter vessel sailing under the Gambian flag and in ballast, experienced an explosion and fire in its engine room.
BLACK SEA — Two tankers associated with sanctioned Russian oil operations, the Kairos and the Virat, reported external impacts leading to fires and structural risks on Friday in the Black Sea north of Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait.
The Kairos, a 274-meter vessel sailing under the Gambian flag and in ballast, experienced an explosion and fire in its engine room approximately 28 nautical miles (32 miles or 52 kilometers) north of the strait.
Shipping agency Tribeca indicated the incident may involve a mine strike, placing the vessel at risk of sinking, though this remains unconfirmed by official sources. Turkish maritime authorities responded promptly by deploying two fast rescue boats, a tugboat, and an emergency response vessel from the Transport Ministry, alongside additional rescue units from the Maritime Affairs Directorate. All 25 crew members aboard the Kairos were evacuated safely with no reported injuries.
Further east, approximately 35 nautical miles (40 miles or 64 kilometers) offshore, the Virat, another Gambian-flagged Aframax tanker operating empty, sustained an external impact resulting in heavy smoke in the engine room.
A nearby commercial vessel assisted Turkish rescue teams in securing the safety of the 20 personnel on board, again with no casualties noted. Both incidents occurred amid ongoing navigational hazards in the region, including drifting naval mines from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but no definitive cause has been established by government entities.
Shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait continued uninterrupted following the events. These occurrences highlight persistent vulnerabilities for vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, subject to international sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.