Drone strikes tanker near CPC terminal, no oil spill
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A drone struck the empty tanker Nordic Zenith near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal on July 17, the Energy Ministry reported. The crew extinguished the fire, and no casualties or oil spill occurred. CPC operations continue as scheduled.
The Attack
Two drones struck the Suezmax tanker Nordic Zenith near the CPC terminal on July 17, according to the CPC press service. The vessel, which was empty and preparing to load crude, was hit in the superstructure and oil-loading equipment. The crew extinguished the fire without casualties; 13 of 22 crew members were evacuated by CPC vessels, while nine remained aboard voluntarily.
Vessel and Operations
The Nordic Zenith, built in 2011 and flagged in Liberia, has a deadweight of 158,600 tonnes and dimensions of 274.4 by 48 meters. Before approaching the CPC terminal, it had been anchored off Istanbul since July 10. The Energy Ministry stated that CPC's technological infrastructure operates normally and cargo operations continue on schedule.
What's Next
The damaged tanker is unfit for loading, and CPC will need to arrange alternative transport for scheduled crude exports. It remains unclear which group carried out the attack or whether further strikes are anticipated.
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Drone strikes tanker near CPC terminal, no oil spill
