The Moldova-flagged chemical tanker Millennial Spirit and the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Namura Queen were both damaged by missiles in the Black Sea.
A Russian Navy ship fired on the 1974-built Millennial Spirit, formerly Freyja, 12 nautical miles south of Ukraine’s Yuzhniy port, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials were in charge of rescue operations. All of the crew members were rescued, but two of them are in critical condition, according to Moldova’s Naval Agency, which also stated that the source of the missile launch is unknown.
Meanwhile, Andrey Stavnitser, co-owner of the TransInvestService terminal group and the P&O Maritime Ukraine tug firm operating in the Yuzhny port, claimed the 2020-built panamax Namura Queen, owned by Japan’s Nissen Kaiun, was apparently struck by a rocket at the Yuzhny port’s anchorage. There were no fatalities, although one person was hurt.
The Turkish-owned bulk carrier Yasa Jupiter was struck by a missile off the coast of Odessa yesterday, sustaining minor damage and becoming the first known merchant ship casualty of war since Russia invaded Ukraine. Dryad Global, a maritime security consultant, has recommended all commercial operators to avoid transiting or operating in Ukraine’s or Russia’s exclusive economic zones in the Black Sea.
According to reports, the Moldova-flagged tanker Millennial Spirit was hit off Odessa earlier today. AIS shows five tugs in the area facilitating the operations approx 4 hours ago.
Last position received: 2022-02-25 10:05 UTC#marinetraffic #UkraineRussia pic.twitter.com/lj503Myast— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) February 25, 2022
