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Istanbul-based Besiktas Shipping said it is suspending all operations with Russia after its Panama-flagged oil tanker Mersin was damaged in an attack near Dakar, reported Lyon's Euronews.
The company said the risks to vessels and crew had become untenable following the incident on November 27. Four external explosions hit the Mersin while anchored off Senegal's capital, flooding the engine room. All crew members were unharmed and no group has claimed responsibility.
The Mersin has visited Russian ports including Novorossiysk and Taman at least 13 times this year. Besiktas, which operates 29 tankers, said it remains fully compliant with international sanctions regimes.
Senegal's Port of Dakar described the incident as technical, with water entering the engine room. Naval vessels and tugboats were deployed to stabilise the tanker and prevent a fuel spill.
The attack followed strikes on two Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea. Ukraine confirmed it used Sea Baby drones against the Kairos and Virat November 28-29, causing critical damage as they headed to Novorossiysk.
On December 2, the Russian-flagged Midvolga 2 was attacked while carrying sunflower oil to Georgia, 80 nautical miles off Turkey's coast. All 13 crew members were safe and the vessel reached Sinop under its own power. Ukraine denied involvement, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi calling Russian claims propaganda.
Tykhyi said the alleged route across Turkey's exclusive economic zone made no sense and suggested Russia may have staged the incident. Black Sea shipping costs have risen as insurers adjust war risk premiums. Ukraine considers Russian shadow fleet tankers and refineries legitimate military targets amid the ongoing conflict.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9251200000124
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