The sinking of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea has been labeled an act of terrorism by its owner. The incident occurred on December 23, leading to the loss of the ship and two crew members now missing.
Reuters reported that the Ursa Major, carrying various industrial cargoes, tragically sank following three explosions that compromised the vessel's integrity.
The ship was journeying from St. Petersburg, having departed on December 11, 2024, and was scheduled for Vladivostok.
En route, three explosions on the starboard side of the Ursa Major caused severe damage, resulting in the vessel taking on water and sinking.
According to the ship’s time log, the initial blast occurred at 1350 Moscow time, roughly equivalent to 1050 GMT. The explosions critically impacted the engine room especially, which is believed to be the epicenter of the final explosion that led to the sinking.
The crew of the Ursa Major consisted of 16 individuals. During the chaos following the explosions, a distress signal was sent out, received by the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service.
The rescue team, consisting of two vessels and a helicopter, was dispatched promptly, managing to save 14 out of the 16 crew members. They were taken to the port of Cartagena for medical treatment and support. The rescued crew members recounted the rapid onset of the explosions, which gave them little time to react.
The sinking took place in international waters, between Algeria and Spain, where the Ursa Major's last known signal was sent out at 2204 GMT. Following this, the ship remained untraceable as it went down.
The cargo of the Ursa Major included two enormous port cranes, two heavy hatch covers suited for ice-breaking ships, 129 empty containers, and a container filled with roofing equipment, which all went down with the ship.
Following the incident, Oboronlogistika, part of the Russian Defence Ministry and de facto owner of the ship, asserted that the sinking was a result of terrorist actions. They refrained from specifying the supposed perpetrators or the motives behind the alleged attack.
The entity operating the vessel, SK-Yug, in conjunction with Oboronlogistika, has yet to provide detailed comments regarding the destruction of their vessel beyond confirming the terrorism theory. This has led to widespread speculation and concern within the international shipping community.
The political backdrop adds another layer of complexity, as the Ursa Major alongside its associated entities, had been sanctioned by the United States in 2022, raising questions about the incident's implications in broader geopolitical contexts.
The implications of such an attack are significant, reflecting not only on the safety protocols in place for maritime travel but also the intricate balance of international relations and security.
This incident might influence future policies and security measures within the maritime industry, especially involving routes traversing conflict-prone areas.
The community and families of the missing crew members await more detailed investigation results, hoping for clarity and closure on the circumstances that led to this tragic incident. Meanwhile, global authorities are on alert for potential repercussions that could escalate from this incident.
As the investigation continues, the international community remains watchful, ready to respond to any developments that might arise from this unfortunate maritime disaster.