Two tankers were targeted by drones while loading crude from Kazakhstan’s oil fields on Sunday, prompting a strong condemnation from Astana.
The attack saw the Liberia-flagged ASIA and the Marshall Islands-flagged NISSOS IOS hit during loading operations at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) offshore terminal near Russia’s port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea.
A fire broke out on board the ASIA, but was extinguished by the CPC emergency response team. Oil loadings were suspended shortly afterwards.
Both tankers were chartered to carry crude from Kazakhstan-based energy companies Tengizchevroil, Kashagan BV and Maten Petroleum.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the strike as an «unacceptable infringement» on the country’s interests, adding that «deliberate acts» like this disrupt global trade, energy markets, and the security of international shipping.
«Kazakhstan demands an immediate halt to these attacks and the adoption of comprehensive measures to ensure the security of the infrastructure used for the export of Kazakh hydrocarbons,» the statement reads.
The CPC said no one was killed or injured in what it called a «targeted terrorist attack.» There was no oil spill from the attack, and the vessels were considered seaworthy, it added. Both tankers remained in the Black Sea on Sunday night, according to the tracking website VesselFinder.
Stretching roughly 1,510 kilometres, the CPC links Kazakhstan’s Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak oil fields to Novorossiysk. From there, tankers carry the oil onward to international markets. The pipeline handles around 80% of all Kazakhstan’s oil exports.
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