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Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks in Mediterranean Sea
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian cargo vessel named Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea following a significant explosion in its engine room. This incident took place overnight, and as of Tuesday, two crew members remain unaccounted for, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Constructed in 2009, the Ursa Major was managed by Oboronlogistika, a firm under the umbrella of the Russian Defence Ministry, which had stated that the ship was headed for the far eastern port of Vladivostok, carrying two large port cranes secured on its deck.
The crisis center of the Foreign Ministry reported that 14 out of the 16 crew members were rescued and taken to Spain. However, the circumstances surrounding the explosion that precipitated the sinking remain unclear.
Russia’s embassy in Spain confirmed through the state RIA news agency that they are investigating the incident and are coordinating with Spanish authorities.
Both Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, which is listed in maritime registries as the ship’s owner and operator, have declined to comment on the situation. It is noteworthy that both companies, along with the Ursa Major, were sanctioned by the United States in 2022 due to their affiliations with the Russian military.
Video footage, which has not been verified, showed the ship listing significantly to its starboard side, with its bow submerged deeper into the water. This video was reportedly taken by another vessel on December 23 and later shared by Russia’s life.ru news outlet.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service received a distress call from the Ursa Major on Monday when the ship was about 57 miles off the coast near AlmerÃa. They contacted a nearby ship that reported adverse weather conditions and noted that a lifeboat was deployed while the Ursa Major continued to list ominously.
In response, two rescue vessels and a helicopter were dispatched, managing to bring the 14 survivors to Cartagena, Spain. The crew indicated that the ship was transporting empty containers along with the two cranes.
A Russian warship subsequently reached the site and took over the rescue efforts.
Details Surrounding the Cargo and Journey
Oboronlogistika had previously issued a statement on December 20 regarding the Ursa Major, identifying it by various prior names, including Sparta III. The vessel was reportedly transporting specialized port cranes intended for installation at Vladivostok, in addition to parts intended for new ice-breakers.
Footage of the Ursa Major also showed the cranes strapped to its deck. Tracking data from LSEG indicated that the vessel departed St. Petersburg on December 11 and last transmitted a signal on Monday evening, just before sinking, in the waters between Algeria and Spain.
Although the ship had declared Vladivostok as its next destination, it has a history of calling at the Syrian port of Tartous.
In related news, Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence reported that another Russian cargo ship, Sparta, encountered technical difficulties off the coast of Portugal. HUR stated that the crew managed to resolve the issue and that the ship was reportedly bound for Syria to procure military supplies and ammunition, following the recent shifts in power concerning Russian ally Bashar al-Assad. However, these claims about Sparta’s mission have not been independently verified by Reuters.
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