A Thenamaris tanker has reportedly been hit by two explosions at the Italian port of Savona in what the operator called a “security incident.”
Domestic media reported the incident, involving the Greek owner’s 109,000-dwt LR2 Seajewel (built 2009), happened overnight on Friday into Saturday.
No pollution or injuries have been reported and the Malta-flagged vessel is not in danger of sinking.
The IVG website reported two blasts taking place beneath the waterline.
The cause remained unclear on Tuesday.
The crew reported hearing two loud bangs. Hull plates were reportedly bent inwards, leading to speculation about an external attack in the Italian media.
Thenmaris gave credence to this interpretation, telling TradeWinds: “The Italian authorities are investigating a suspected security incident involving Seajewel, a Thenamaris-managed vessel, at Savona.”
Routine cargo operations were suspended on 15 February.
“All crew on board the vessel and third-party individuals involved in the cargo operations are safe, and there has been no harm to the environment as a result of the incident,” the operator said.
Thenamaris said it is always compliant with international and European rules and regulations, and is fully cooperating with the local authorities to support the ongoing investigation.
The vessel remains ready to resume its cargo operations, it added.
UK shipbroker Clarksons reports the ship made port calls in Russia in the past year, but lists these as lifting the Kazakhstani CPC crude blend from the Black Sea CPC terminal at Russia’s Novorossiysk.
The Italian blasts follow reports that a Russian-owned suezmax tanker that suffered explosions in a Russian port may have been deliberately targeted.
The crew of the 164,500-dwt Koala (built 2003) was forced to leave the vessel at Ust-Luga.
Three blasts in the aft section resulted in one hole measuring 100 cm by 80 cm and two larger gashes of four metres by two metres in the hull.
“If confirmed, this strongly suggests that the explosions were caused by limpet mines,” maritime intelligence company Ambrey Analytics said.
In Savona, the coast guard and divers who arrived from La Spezia are investigating.
The port authority in Savona released a statement that said: “During the crude oil unloading operations, the specialised personnel who supervised these operations noted some anomalies — to be investigated — in the unloading procedures.
“This authority immediately implemented the procedures set out in the port anti-pollution and fire prevention plans,” it added.
“No spills or injuries to people were recorded. Technical checks are underway on board the vessel in question to verify the origin of these anomalies and eliminate them so that operations can continue safely,” the statement continued.
The Savona public prosecutor’s office has opened a file to clarify what happened.
IVG said the ship arrived on Friday from Algeria.
“We are in constant contact with the relevant authorities,” said Savona mayor Marco Russo and mayor of Vado Ligure, Fabio Gilardi, in a statement.
“We know that the situation is monitored and supervised in every aspect. At the moment we will not say anything else out of respect for the activities in progress,” they added.
The Seajewel has a clean port state control detention record.
At its last inspection in the US last June, one fault was found with the fire detection and alarm system.
The tanker has insurance through the NorthStandard club in the UK.(Copyright)
