- The collision caused structural damage and a leak from one of the tanker’s ballast tanks.
- Authorities confirmed the leakage was not oil but still classified as a pollutant.
- Tugboats were deployed to secure the area and contain the spill.
A sanctioned U.S.-affiliated tanker was hit by a container ship off Istanbul on Friday, March 7, 2025, which damaged the hull and caused a leak from one of its ballast tanks. The accident happened around five miles off the coast and was filmed, and footage was subsequently broadcast on Turkish television, reports Marine Insight.
Details of the Incident
The tanker, being at a standstill at that moment, was struck by a 130-meter-long, 8,000-det container vessel when manoeuvring. According to eyewitnesses, the container vessel had an impact as it turned and, as a consequence, there was a hole made in one of the ballast tanks of the tanker with contaminated water leaking out into the ocean.
Environmental and Response Efforts
Though officials assured that the spill was not oil, it was nevertheless regarded as a pollutant. A tug from a local shipping company was the initial response vessel that arrived, with a rescue tug from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety arriving afterwards. The crew of the crippled tanker tried making an emergency repair to seal off the leakage while officials evaluated the situation.
Investigations and Vessel Status
After the collision, the container ship, which was sailing to Romania, was detained at anchor for a more detailed examination. The Turkish Coast Guard instituted an investigation into the extent of the damage on both ships. The container ship had visible damage from the collision, although the extent is not yet revealed.
Ownership and Sanctions Background
The ownership of the tanker is unknown since it is registered with a Seychelles-based firm without listed management and has not been inspected since 2014. The U.S. sanctioned the vessel in 2024, accusing false registration under Guyana’s flag. The Guyanese authorities dissociated themselves from any involvement, stressing that their registry does not feature the vessel. There are reports that the tanker could have been operated with alternative identities previously. No official comment from Turkish authorities is available on the incident.
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Source: Marine Insight
