Sanctioned Russian Cargo Vessel Sinks in Mediterranean Following Engine Room Explosion

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the cargo vessel Ursa Major, a Russian-flagged ship, sank in the Mediterranean Sea, situated between Spain and Algeria, following an engine room explosion. The ministry reported that 14 crew members were successfully rescued and transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two other individuals from the crew remain unaccounted for. Russian news agency Interfax stated that the Ursa Major had departed from the port of St Petersburg 12 days prior. According to the ship’s owner, the vessel was en route to Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East, transporting two cranes, each weighing 380 tonnes, intended for the port; however, this stated destination could not be independently verified. Prior to the sinking of the Ursa Major, Spain’s maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Marítimo, reported that 14 individuals were discovered in a lifeboat and safely conveyed to Spain. Subsequently, a Russian warship reached the location to assume control of the rescue efforts. At the time the Ursa Major encountered difficulties, it was located in the same Mediterranean region as another Russian vessel under sanctions, the Sparta. Both ships had been observed transiting the English Channel the previous week, reportedly accompanied by an escort. Earlier in the current month, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) indicated that the Sparta was proceeding towards Russia’s naval base in Tartous, on the Syrian coast, with the purpose of relocating military equipment from Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. A Kremlin representative stated on Monday that Russia was engaging with Syria’s new leadership regarding the status of its two military installations, through both diplomatic and military channels. Oboronlogistika, the owner of the Ursa Major, has had significant involvement in transporting cargo to Tartous, even though the Sparta’s reported destination on Tuesday was Port Said in Egypt. The marine transport monitoring website LSEG informed the BBC that the Automatic Identification System (AIS) of the Ursa Major indicated Vladivostok as its destination since December 11, and its most recent port call at Tartous occurred in July. On Monday, the HUR reported a breakdown of the Sparta off the coast of Portugal, which was subsequently repaired. Given that the Ursa Major was formerly identified as Sparta III, it remained ambiguous which specific vessel the Ukrainian intelligence was referencing. Nevertheless, the Sparta also encountered issues a week prior amidst rough seas near Brittany, in northwestern France. Radio France Inter reported that the Russian cargo ship initially failed to respond to French communications on Tuesday, December 17, before eventually confirming it was experiencing a problem. RFI quoted the ship’s radio communication as stating: “I’m in trouble. My engines are currently down, the tiller isn’t responding. We’re going to try to repair it in the coming minutes.” Following a drift period of 61 minutes, the Sparta communicated that it had resumed its intended course. The cause of the explosion aboard the Ursa Major remains unknown as the vessel traversed the area between Oran, Algeria, and the Spanish town of Águilas on Monday afternoon. Nevertheless, video footage captured from the tanker Ross Sea between 12:00-13:00 GMT on December 23, and authenticated by the BBC, depicted the ship with a severe list. The vessel ultimately sank at approximately 01:20 GMT on Tuesday. Constructed in 2009, the Ursa Major was subjected to sanctions following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, due to its owner’s involvement in transporting cargo for the Russian military. Oboronlogistika stated that the cargo ship, which the company characterized as the flagship of its fleet, was transporting 45-tonne hatch covers intended for icebreakers, in addition to the substantial cranes destined for the port in Vladivostok.