Third Russia-Linked Oil Tanker Suffers Explosions Near Senegal: Crew Safe, No Environmental Impact

Shipping analytics firm Kpler reports the vessel was transporting gasoil (Representational)

An oil tanker carrying diesel experienced four external explosions while near Dakar, Senegal, according to a statement from its manager, Besiktas Shipping. This marks the third vessel with Russian connections to be struck in recent days.

Following the explosions, seawater penetrated the Mersin's engine room, though the vessel remains stable. The crew is safe, and no environmental pollution has occurred.

This incident follows two similar occurrences within three days involving vessels that transported Russian petroleum. A source familiar with the situation indicated that Ukraine's security service was responsible for two such incidents in the Black Sea targeting empty tankers late last week. Attribution for other related incidents has not always been established.

Besiktas Shipping stated they are cooperating with investigations into the cause of the explosions and working alongside insurers and Senegalese authorities to address the consequences.

According to shipping analytics firm Kpler, the Mersin was transporting gasoil and had made multiple port calls to Russian facilities this year.

Senegal's port authority confirmed the Mersin has been stabilized after taking on significant water and is currently under continuous tug assistance with technical monitoring. Authorities are prioritizing the sealing of hull breaches to restore watertight integrity before commencing cargo transfer operations to prevent destabilization during pumping procedures.