Sanctioned Russian Vessel Sinks Following Engine Room Explosion

The Russian foreign ministry has confirmed that the cargo vessel Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea, situated between Spain and Algeria, following an engine room explosion. The ministry reported that 14 crew members were rescued and transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two additional crew members remain unaccounted for. Interfax, a Russian news agency, stated that the Ursa Major departed from St Petersburg port 12 days prior. Its owner indicated that the ship was en route to Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East, transporting two cranes, each weighing 380 tonnes, intended for the port; however, this 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 on a lifeboat and safely brought to Spain. Subsequently, a Russian warship reached the location to assume control of the rescue efforts. At the time of its distress, the Ursa Major 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 with an escort. Earlier in the current month, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) indicated that the Sparta was proceeding to 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. On Monday, a Kremlin official stated 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 shipping cargo to Tartous, despite the Sparta’s reported destination on Tuesday being Port Said in Egypt. The marine transport monitoring website LSEG informed the BBC that the Ursa Major’s automatic identification system (AIS) indicated Vladivostok as its destination since December 11, and its most recent port call at Tartous occurred in July. The HUR reported on Monday that the Sparta experienced a breakdown off the coast of Portugal, which was subsequently resolved. Given that the Ursa Major was initially named Sparta III, it remained unclear which specific vessel the Ukrainians were referencing. Nevertheless, the Sparta encountered difficulties a week prior amidst rough seas near Brittany, in France’s north-west. 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 an issue. RFI quoted the ship’s radio 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 61-minute period of drifting, the Sparta communicated that it had resumed its intended course. The cause of the explosion aboard the Ursa Major, which occurred on Monday afternoon while the ship was transiting between Oran in Algeria and the Spanish town of Águilas, remains unknown. Nonetheless, video footage captured from the tanker Ross Sea between 12:00-13:00GMT on December 23, and authenticated by the BBC, depicted the vessel with a severe list. The ship ultimately sank around 01:20GMT 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 supplies to the Russian military. Oboronlogistika stated that the cargo ship, which it characterized as its fleet’s flagship, was transporting 45-tonne hatch covers intended for icebreakers, in addition to the substantial cranes for the Vladivostok port. Additional reporting for this piece was conducted by Josh Cheetham, Paul Brown, and Daniele Palumbo of BBC Verify. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Further information regarding our approach to external linking is available.