Istanbul-based shipping company Besiktas Shipping announced on Tuesday it is halting all operations with Russia, citing unacceptable security risks following an attack on one of its vessels.

“After a thorough assessment, we have concluded that the risks posed to our vessels and crew have become untenable,” the company said in a statement. “As the safety of our personnel and assets is our highest priority, we are halting all such operations.”

Besiktas Shipping owns the Panama-flagged oil tanker Mersin, which sustained four external explosions on 27 November while anchored near the Senegalese capital Dakar.

The vessel suffered serious damage and water flooded the engine room, though all crew members remained safe. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Mersin has called at Russian ports including Novorossiysk and Taman multiple times since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Shipping data shows the tanker made at least 13 visits to Russian ports this year.

Besiktas Shipping, which operates a fleet of 29 tankers making it one of Turkey’s largest shipping companies, said it maintains full compliance with international sanctions regimes.

Senegal’s Port of Dakar reported a “technical incident with water entering the engine room” during the night of 27-28 November. Authorities deployed naval vessels and tugboats to stabilise the situation and prevent a fuel spill.

The attack on the Mersin followed separate strikes on two Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea.

Ukraine confirmed it used domestically produced Sea Baby maritime drones to target the Kairos and Virat on 28-29 November as they headed towards the Russian port of Novorossiysk. Security Service of Ukraine sources told media both vessels sustained critical damage.

On 2 December, another tanker, the Russian-flagged Midvolga 2, reported an attack while carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia, approximately 80 nautical miles off Turkey’s coast. All 13 crew members were unharmed and the vessel proceeded to Sinop under its own power.

Ukraine immediately denied involvement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Ukraine had nothing to do with the incident and rejected Russian claims as propaganda.

“The alleged route from Russia to Georgia across Turkey’s exclusive economic zone makes no sense and suggests that Russia may have staged the whole thing,” Tykhyi said.

Black Sea shipping costs have risen since the attacks as insurance companies revise rates linked to war risks, according to reports.

Ukraine, defending itself against Moscow’s all-out war for nearly four years, considers Russian shadow fleet oil tankers and refineries on Russian territory legitimate military targets.

Source: Euronews