The crude oil tanker PUSHPA, formerly Djibouti-flagged and now operating without a flag, suffered an explosion likely in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Malta, around 16 July.
According to Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, this marks the eighth known incident of its kind in recent months. As stated, PUSHPA is a sanctioned vessel and had previously called at St. Petersburg, Russia, earlier in July.
While the incident follows a familiar pattern seen in other recent attacks, the key difference is PUSHPA’s sanctioned status, which most previous targets did not share.
The cause is yet to be determined and will probably be withheld owing to its Dark Fleet nature. However, limpet mines or seaborne vessels could be the cause.
To remind, on 27 June the oil tanker Vilamoura suffered an explosion onboard off the coast of Libya. According to Dryad Global, the explosion aboard the Vilamoura was not an isolated case as a pattern of attacks has emerged the last few months.
Dryad Global has highlighted that crucially, three vessels that have suffered the same fate since January, had recently visited Russian ports such as Ust-Luga or Novorossiysk, suggesting a focused campaign against vessels involved in sanctioned Russian energy trade.