Moscow, Russia – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) announced that the oil tanker “Nordic Zenith” was targeted by a dual drone attack in the Black Sea, causing significant structural damage and forcing its immediate removal from service at the loading terminal. This latest maritime strike amplifies global anxieties regarding the safety of navigation and energy exports through the Black Sea, a critical corridor for global oil supplies currently caught in the crossfire of escalating regional hostilities.
Shipboard Fire and Crew Evacuation Efforts
According to an official statement from the consortium, the drone strike ignited a fire on board the targeted tanker, which was subsequently brought under control and extinguished by emergency systems. Nearby CPC vessels quickly responded to the incident, evacuating 13 crew members to safety, while nine others opted to remain on board to manage the vessel, with no casualties reported during the operation.
Suspension of Loading Operations and Schedule Exclusion
Technical assessments confirmed that the structural damage left the tanker unfit for mooring or oil-loading operations at the Novorossiysk terminal, prompting the consortium to exclude it from the loading schedule until further notice. Industry sources revealed that the damaged vessel had been chartered by the American energy giant ExxonMobil, though the consortium refrained from identifying the perpetrators behind the attack.
Escalating Risks to Global Oil Supply Lines
This incident unfolds amidst intensifying naval and drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, directly threatening international energy infrastructure. The Caspian Pipeline spans 1,510 kilometers, connecting Kazakhstan’s vast oil fields to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, a vital conduit handling roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s total oil exports to global markets. Experts warn that repeated attacks on these critical maritime facilities could severely disrupt global supply chains and induce high volatility in energy markets.
