Indian-Managed Tanker Involved in Bunkering Accident Near Istanbul

An Indian-managed crude oil tanker transporting Russian oil, named Jag, was recently involved in a bunkering accident near Istanbul. The incident took place in the Ahirkapi Anchorage, prompting Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) to respond swiftly by dispatching vessels to clean up the spilled oil in the surface waters.

Although the exact quantity of oil spilled was not disclosed by KEGM, they confirmed the presence of two Turkish rescue boats, KEGM-3 and KEGM-4, a tugboat, and an environmental barge at the scene to address the situation.

According to AIS signals, the Jag had been bunkering with another vessel, Gokdeniz, at the time of the incident. The tanker, with a deadweight tonnage of 70,400, has been registered in Liberia since 2023 and is currently managed by Rhine Marine Services, an Indian-based company.

With a history of ownership changes, the Jag has made multiple trips to Russia, including a recent voyage from Primorsk to Brazil last October. However, the tanker has faced scrutiny in the past, with its last inspection in 2023 revealing 12 deficiencies that led to a two-day detention in Aqaba, Jordan. Issues such as a malfunctioning emergency generator, non-compliant fire doors, and cleanliness concerns in the engine room were noted during the inspection.

Despite its checkered past, the Jag remains anchored off Istanbul as per its AIS signal, awaiting further instructions. KEGM has not provided additional details regarding the incident, leaving questions about the extent of the environmental impact and the tanker’s future operations unanswered.