Italy Launches Terrorism Probe Into Explosions That Blew A Hole In An Oil Tanker

Italian authorities have launched a terrorism probe into explosions that damaged an oil tanker off Northern Italy last weekend.

At the time of the explosion, the Greek-operated crude oil tanker Seajewel was anchored near the port of Savona-Vado. This is the latest in a series of similar attacks on vessels in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas over the past month.

According to Genoa’s chief prosecutor Nicola Piacente, the investigation falls under the anti-terrorism section of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and is focused on a suspected “shipwreck aggravated by terrorist intent.”

The black box of the vessel has been taken for analysis, though the ship itself has not been seized.

The Seajewel sustained damage below the waterline due to two explosions while it was discharging oil. The tanker operator, Thenamaris, stated that routine cargo operations were suspended on February 15, 2025, but assured that all crew members and third-party individuals involved in the operations were safe.

The company also confirmed there was no environmental damage and that the vessel remains ready to resume operations.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but security officials and maritime sources monitoring the situation believe seaborne limpet mines may have been used, although confirmation is still pending.

A source familiar with the matter said that the damage appeared to have been caused by an external strike rather than an internal malfunction.

Apart from the Seajewel, three other oil tankers have also sustained damage from explosions in recent weeks. The damaged tankers are identified as the Koala, Seacharm and the Russian cargoship Ursa Major.

Ship tracking data shows that all the affected tankers had recently called at Russian ports.

The Seacharm, also operated by Thenamaris, was damaged in January and remains under investigation by Greek authorities. Meanwhile, the Koala remains stranded in Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga.

The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship, sank in the Mediterranean off the coast of Spain in December following an explosion in its engine room, with two crew members reported missing.

Officials have warned of increasing threats to maritime security. Italian lawmakers from the opposition 5-Star Movement have labelled the Seajewel incident as a terrorist act and are calling for a full report to be submitted to parliament once the investigation is completed.

Authorities in Savona and Genoa continue to examine all possibilities, though they have confirmed there is no risk of an oil spill. The Seajewel, which sails under a Maltese flag and primarily operates in the Mediterranean, had recently made stops in Algeria, Greece, Turkey, and France before arriving in Italy.

Reference: Reuters, Bloomberg

Source: Maritime Shipping News