Laden Russian tanker loses power in stormy Bay of Biscay
A Russian-flagged tanker, the Unity, has broken down in the stormy Bay of Biscay off the coast of France. The 16-year-old aframax tanker was carrying Russian oil to Mangalore, India, when it lost propulsion amid severe weather conditions. The incident occurred overnight, raising concerns about maritime safety in the region.
Recent Maritime Incidents Raise Concerns
The *Unity* departed from Primorsk on January 16, but its journey took a dangerous turn as it encountered extreme storms in the Atlantic. The vessel is owned by the Moscow-based Argo Tanker Group, which acquired it in September of the previous year. The shipping database Equasis confirms the ownership details.
This incident follows a similar situation involving another Russian tanker, the *Eventin*, which broke down in the Baltic Sea just two weeks prior. The *Eventin*, a 19-year-old vessel, was carrying nearly 100,000 tons of Russian oil when it required rescue and was subsequently towed to the German port of Sassnitz.
Additionally, the *Eagle S*, another Russian tanker, has been in the spotlight due to its involvement in a Baltic subsea cable cutting incident. Finnish authorities recently found 32 faults during a port state control inspection, with three issues deemed severe enough to require immediate repairs before the ship can operate again.
The heads of state from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden have expressed concerns over Russia’s use of a so-called shadow fleet. They believe this poses a significant threat to maritime and environmental security in the Baltic Sea and beyond. Last month, two tankers faced difficulties in Russia’s Kerch Strait, resulting in oil spills that continue to affect local coastlines. The *Volgoneft-212* broke in half while carrying 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil, and the *Volgoneft-23* ran aground, highlighting ongoing risks in the region.
