The sinking of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean was caused by a « terrorist attack, » claimed the owning company, Oboronlogistika, on Wednesday, December 25. However, the company did not specify who might have carried out the attack or the reasons behind it. They stated that « three consecutive explosions » were heard, which caused the ship to roll and allowed water to enter, citing testimonies from survivors.
According to Spanish maritime rescue teams, Ursa Major issued a distress call on the night of December 23 to 24, approximately 105 kilometers off the coast of Almería, amid « bad weather conditions. » The cargo ship, with 16 Russian crew members on board, eventually sank after an explosion occurred in its engine room, as reported by Russia’s crisis response unit in a statement on Tuesday morning.
Fourteen sailors were rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while « two are missing, » according to the same source.
The ship, which departed from Saint Petersburg on December 11 and was due to arrive in Vladivostok on January 22, was transporting port cranes and hatch covers for icebreakers, according to Oboronlogistika. To ensure the stability of the ship, containers were placed on its lower deck as additional ballast, the company added.
Ursa Major and Oboronlogistika had been placed under U.S. sanctions in May 2022, following the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The company had also stated on December 20 that the ship’s journey was part of the development of the « Northern Sea Route, » a maritime route in the Arctic developed by Russia, which hopes to use it as a new trade route linking Europe and Asia, particularly for delivering its hydrocarbons.
