Monday, February 10, 2025

IT'S GREEN, REALLY GREEN

Corvus ESS Will Power the World’s First Fully Electric Offshore Vessel

[By Corvus Energy]

Corvus Energy, the leading supplier of zero emission solutions for the offshore and marine industry, is proud to announce that it will deliver a mega-size battery system for the first fully electric offshore vessel ever to be built.

The vessel is an electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by Armon shipyard in Spain for the UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine Ltd.

World`s first of its kind

Corvus Energy will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) delivering close to 25MWh of power for the vessel. It will be the largest LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery system ever delivered to a maritime project.

“A fully electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working towards for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations," said Pål Ove Husoy, VP Sales at Corvus Energy.

“This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day and will set a new standard for future offshore vessels. The unique system design incorporating both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.”

Unique and optimized power distribution system

Corvus Energy has been cooperating closely with the shipowner, designer and integrator to dimension and optimize the system design. Unlike conventional hybrid systems, the vessel will utilize its large battery pack as the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimized load that maximizes efficiency, extends battery lifespan and significantly reduces emissions. The innovative DC grid architecture further enhances overall system performance by minimizing energy losses and ensuring seamless power distribution. Additionally, offshore charging capabilities will enable simultaneous battery charging while maintaining DP for station-keeping, representing an industry first in the SOV market.

Accelerating the path to net zero

Gavin Forward, New Build Director at Bibby Marine, commented: “We are excited to collaborate with Corvus on this pioneering eCSOV project, setting a new benchmark for sustainable offshore operations and driving the future of zero-emission vessel technology."

He added that Bibby Marine selected Corvus Energy "for its proven track record in delivering complex vessel projects, while the LFP battery chemistry was chosen for its alignment with our eCSOV’s operational profile, offering enhanced safety, longevity and reliability for a project that promises to accelerate the path to net-zero for the maritime sector."

Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027 supporting the commissioning and operation of windfarms.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

DLR Awards Contract for New Research Ship to Lloyd Werft

[By: DLR]

The German Aerospace Center (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has commissioned Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven to build a new research vessel, with both parties signing the contract on 3 February 2025. The ship is expected to cost approximately 36 million euros, and with it, DLR aims to provide the maritime industry with a platform for collaborative research into innovative, climate-compatible propulsion technologies. The vessel is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.

"The new DLR research ship will serve as a unique laboratory for real-world experiments," said Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. "At the same time, it will create new opportunities for public stakeholders in the transition towards digital, climate-compatible, competitive and safe maritime mobility and industry. With its interdisciplinary research approach, DLR is also highly sought after in the maritime sector by industry and the public sector. With Lloyd Werft, we have found an experienced shipbuilder for this unique project, bringing together tradition and innovation at the Bremerhaven site.

Friedrich Norden, Managing Director of Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven, added, "We are delighted to support DLR's valuable research projects through this unique initiative. We will soon be delivering an innovative platform for testing future maritime energy systems under realistic onboard conditions. This flagship project highlights the importance of maritime research in Germany and actively contributes to shaping the maritime energy transition. Both the Lloyd Werft workforce and the entire Rönner Group share this commitment. This contract also demonstrates that Lloyd Werft is not only a strong partner in ship repair and conversion but also a key player in the construction of specialised vessels and complex custom-built structures."

A floating laboratory for climate-compatible propulsion technologies

The DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, based in Geesthacht and Kiel, is dedicated to researching and developing new solutions for the integration of renewable energy into the maritime sector. In collaboration with the Hamburg-based engineering firm SDC Ship Design & Consult, DLR has developed the overall design for the new research vessel, which is now under construction at the Lloyd Werft shipyard.

With this initiative, DLR is advancing climate-compatible shipping, as the new vessel relies on alternative propulsion technologies without fossil fuels.

The vessel will feature a specially designed test engine room, where DLR researchers, along with cooperating companies from the maritime industry, will trial hydrogen-based and battery-powered propulsion systems. It will also enable the real-world testing of uncertified components, such as energy converters and reformers. A key focus will be ensuring that the energy generated can be safely integrated into the onboard power system and used for propulsion.

The research ship will be 48 metres long and 11 metres wide, with a draught of 3.2 metres. It will primarily operate in the North Sea and Baltic Sea on test voyages lasting from one to several days, accommodating up to 20 people onboard. Once completed, the vessel will be based in Kiel.

Innovative, digitalised transport systems on the water

The research vessel will be equipped with a digital twin – a virtual replica that will enable DLR researchers to conduct extensive computer simulations to ensure the ship's safe and efficient operation. This technology will allow researchers to, for example, analyse propulsion components and digital navigation systems in preparation for and alongside practical trials.

With this initiative, DLR is providing the maritime industry with a platform for the development, integration, testing and certification of resource-efficient, digital and intelligent maritime systems. Authorities responsible for security will also benefit, as the vessel will support DLR's research in civil security and defence applications.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

Fincantieri Hands Over Innovative LNG Cruise Ship to Germany’s TUI Cruises

Mein Schiff cruise ship — Mein Schiff Relax was delivered continuing the rapid growth of the German cruise market (Fincantieri)

Germany’s TUI Cruises took delivery today, February 7, on the first of two new LNG dual-fuel cruise ships launching a new class of ship for the 16-year-old partnership between TUI and Royal Caribbean Group. The new ship named Mein Schiff Relax marks the first time the line has worked with Fincantieri after a long-term partnership with the shipyard in Turku, Finland.

At 161,000 gross tons, Mein Schiff Relax is the largest for the German brand and the first of the company’s ships to operate on LNG. It was built as a dual-fuel ship immediately capable of operating on LNG or Marine Gas Oil and it will be able to transition to alternatives including bio- or e-LNG when it becomes available in the market. Last year, TUI also introduced the first methanol-ready cruise ship, Mein Schiff 7, which was built at Meyer Turku and with the addition of some pending components is expected to commence operations with methanol.

Fincantieri received the order for the two ships from TUI in July 2018 with the steel cutting for the first ship commencing in June 2022. The ship was floated out from the yard in Monfalcone, Italy in November 2023 and began its first sea trials last October. The first trials focused on the performance of the vessel and especially maneuverability. In December, it received its first LNG load and at the end of the month commenced sea trials operating on LNG. Mein Schiff Relax is the second cruise ship delivered by Fincantieri fueled with LNG.

The Mein Schiff operation has been one of the fast-growing taking advantage of the strength of the cruise market in German-speaking countries. It was launched as a rival to Carnival Corporation’s successful AIDA brand with TUI’s first ship, acquired from Celebrity Cruises, sailing on its first cruise in May 2009. Today the brand has eight ships including Relax, with the oldest having been built just a decade ago.

“Eleven years ago, we took delivery of our first newly built ship,” says Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises. “With the Mein Schiff Relax, we are now opening a whole new chapter in the field of premium cruises.”

The new ship is 1,070 feet (326 meters) in length with 1,945 passenger cabins and accommodations for 3,984 passengers and 1,535 crew. In addition to being the largest ship of the fleet, it has innovations for relaxation, 14 restaurants including more variety and a new Asian restaurant, and redefined spa and wellness areas. The ship features the cruise line’s first two-deck “freedom suites,” as well as introducing inside, outside, and balcony cabins for solo travelers.

In addition to the dual-fuel configuration, Mein Schiff Relax features new catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine using residual heat from the diesel generators, and a shore power connection for ports. It also has a highly efficient waste treatment system capable of transforming organic materials into recyclable components through a thermal process.

The cruise ship enters service at the beginning of March and will sail for the first year around the Canary Islands before moving to Germany in mid-2026. TUI has planned an innovative christening ceremony for the new ship on April 9 in Malaga. She will meet up with fleet mates Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7. In addition to a celebrity performance, the three cruise ships will share the event with a gala dinner and cocktail aboard each ship and special culinary dishes from the restaurants on the new ship being served aboard all three ships.

Mein Schiff continues its rapid growth after introducing Mein Schiff 7 in June 2024. The next introduction, Mein Schiff Flow will take place in Spain in August 2026.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Advances Concept for Smaller LCO2 Carrier

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. working in conjunction with Nippon Gas Line continues to make progress on the development of its concept for a liquified CO2 carrier vessel. While much of the focus in the industry is on the need for more and larger CO2 carriers to meet the anticipated needs of the carbon capture and storage industry, this project focused on a specialized LCO2 carrier tailored to the coastal market in Japan.

Mitsubishi has been actively promoting the development of LCO2 carriers and the establishment of CCS value chains. In a project working with Nihon Shipyard Co., it is jointly pursuing the development of an ocean-going liquified CO2 carrier while working with NYK they developed concepts for a vessel that could transport both CO2 and ammonia. Another project that also involves Nippon Gas Line looks to develop the value chain including moving the captured CO2 to Malaysia for storage under the seabed.

Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in tandem with CCS (carbon dioxide capture and storage) projects involving marine transport of CO2 captured in Japan to storage sites. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nippon Gas Line worked jointly on a study exploring the need to transport CO2 captured at smaller sites in the Seto Inland Sea area and transport it to overseas storage sites.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in late 2023 completed the construction of a small-scale demonstration LCO2 carrier with a cargo tank capacity of 1,450 cubic meters. The project sponsored by the Japanese government was to develop expertise in the sector and was followed by a program to establish standard specifications and designs for LCO2 carriers along with a focus on the steps to establish a construction supply chain.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nippon Gas Line have now completed a concept study for a low-pressure type coastal LCO2 carrier for the needs of emitters in the Seto Inland Sea area. ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) reviewed the designs and awarded Approval in Principle for the carrier to serve in coastal transport. The study explored domestic storage sites or acting as a feeder operation for overseas shipping.

The companies expect the AiP certification to support the efforts to develop opportunities for highly versatile small-sized LCO2 carriers to consolidate CO2 collection in Japan for transfer through overseas shipping.

Previously, the companies have said the goal would be to start construction on LCO2 carriers by 2027. They anticipate beginning a commercial service by 2028.

South Korean Firm Begins Construction of New Cebu Port in Philippines

After a long delay, the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) in the Philippines has finally kicked off. The Transportation Secretary Jamie Bautista in company of other senior government officials this week led the groundbreaking ceremony for the port. The $290 million NCICP is located in Tayud, a district at the northern end of Cebu City.

The project was first mooted in the early 2000s but experienced approval delays. However, in December the government gave the contractor the green light to begin civil works. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed the project contract with the Korean company HJ Shipbuilding.

“This project is set to improve Cebu’s cargo handling capacity, alleviate congestion at the existing facility (Cebu Baseport) as well as establish Cebu as a regional logistics hub. The construction is expected to be completed by 2028,” said Cebu Port Authority (CPA).

The project involves transforming 60 acres of reclaimed land into an international container port with an annual handling capacity of 395,000 TEU. The terminal will have five quayside cranes, a 500-meter berth and a water depth of 12 meters. This will allow the terminal to accommodate two 2,000 TEU feeders at any given time.

The NCICP project is being implemented under a bilateral partnership between the Philippine and Korean governments. The Import-Export Bank of Korea (KEXIM) is contributing around $172 million and the rest is coming from the Philippines’ national government. The International Finance Corporation of the World Bank is acting as the transaction adviser.

“NCICP will significantly boost economic engagement between the Philippines and South Korea, especially with the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), which came into force on December 31. Trade and cargo volumes between the two countries is expected to increase significantly in the future,” said the Korean Embassy in Manila.

With the Philippines working to improve connectivity and supply chains within its 82 provinces, the country has announced major port expansion projects. Last month, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) issued tenders for the expansion of three major ports worth $14 million. The targeted ports include San Jose Port in the Province of Dinagat Islands, Roxas Port in Oriental Mindoro and Guinsiliban Port in Camiguin.

Chinese Bulker Runs Aground in a Storm Off Sakhalin

An Yang 2 aground (Russian social media / Baza)

A Chinese bulker has gone aground on the shores of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, and first responders have not yet been able to reach the scene.

Videos released by state media show that the Chinese bulker An Yang 2 is hard aground on a rocky shore just south of the port of Nevelsk, on the southwestern end of Sakhalin. The vessel is exposed to heavy wave action and is broadside to the surf zone.

Because of rough conditions from a winter storm, salvors have not yet been able to reach the ship to evaluate its condition, said regional governor Valery Limarenko in a statement on the Russian social media application Telegram. "A high alert regime has been introduced in the district," he said.

Bystander photos show that the vessel's starboard anchor is deployed. The crew are still aboard and are reportedly safe, and local authorities are in contact with them as they discuss next steps.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, An Yang 2 has 1,000 tonnes of coal in her holds, along with 56 tonnes of diesel and 700 tonnes of fuel oil. No pollution has been reported.

"The main task now is to eliminate environmental risks. All necessary measures are already being taken," said Limarenko. "This is not the first case: in 2021, another Chinese ship ran aground in the Kholmsky District. Then its owners refused to solve the problem, shifting all costs to the region."

An Yang 2 is a 2010-built bulker of 56,000 dwt tonnes, owned and managed by a shipping company in Hainan.

It is the second major casualty in Russia in two days. On Sunday, a tanker partially sank at the pier after an engine room explosion at the port of Ust-Luga, near St. Petersburg.

First Custom-Designed LCO2 Carrier Arrives in Norway to Start CCS

The world’s first custom-designed and built carrier for the commercial transport of liquified CO2 arrived on February 6 in its homeport of Stavanger, Norway. The vessel, Northern Pioneer (10,000 dwt), will be undergoing commissioning as it prepares to launch the first commercial operation for the transport of captured CO2 from industrial sites in Northern Europe and ultimately injection under the seabed of the North Sea.

The vessel has the capacity to transport approximately 7,500 cbm of liquified CO2. The cargo transport conditions are a maximum of 19 bar (g) pressure and a minimum of negative 35 C temperature. The first of four ships being built for the operation, Northern Pioneer, will shuttle between the receiving terminals in Øygarden and Brevik, where the first commercial customer, Heidelberg Materials, is located on the southern coast of Norway.

Northern Pioneer is the first LCO2 carrier completed for commercial CCS operations (Northern Lights)

The vessel was built in China at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) and delivered in November. She undertook a delivery trip stopping in Singapore to load LNG and rounding Africa before a stop in Las Palmas. She departed on January 25 for the final leg bringing her home to Norway.

The ship, which is 130 meters (426 feet) is registered in Norway but will be managed by Japan’s Kawasaki Laisha (“K” Line). It operates on LNG and also has a wind rotor and air lubrication under its hull.

The ship was christened today in Stavanger by Norway’s former Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tina Bru. She was in the Norwegian Parliament in 2019 when the project then known as Longship was first proposed and instrumental in helping to advance the grounding-breaking project. Known as Northern Lights, it is a partnership between Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell.

Northern Pioneer made a service call in Singapore to load LNG during its delivery trip to Norway (Nothern Lights)

Northern Lights reports the vessel carried out testing and optimization of the energy-saving devices on the repositioning trip from China to Norway. The ship will now undergo mechanical commissioning at the receiving terminal and interface training between the ship and shore staff ahead of starting operations. Construction of the terminals was completed in 2024 preparing the operation to begin this year.

The second ship, Northern Pathfinder, was delivered at the end of December. She departed Singapore on January 17 and is currently nearing Walvis Bay, South Africa on her repositioning trip. An order for two additional vessels was also placed with DSIC as Northern Lights looks to expand its operations.

QatarEnergy's New LNG Carrier Fleet Begins to Take Shape

Following on from the news from the Gulf that Oman’s Asyad Shipping is expanding its fleet by acquiring a further 30 ships, QatarEnergy is now seeing the first deliveries of what will be a fleet of 128 new vessels by 2030.

QatarEnergy has said that its reinforced fleet will be a "floating pipeline," carrying a continual flow of LNG from Qatar’s expanding gas fields, mostly to Asia on tankers on long-term charters. The expansion will also cater to the shipping needs of QatarEnergy’s North Golden Pass LNG Terminal at Sabine Pass in Texas.

Though the Qatari firm orchestrated the newbuild program and negotiated with shipyards to reserve space for construction, the tankers were purchased by top global shipowners (or joint ventures) to charter to QatarEnergy on a long-term basis. The list of companies selected to buy and operate tonnage for QatarEnergy includes China Merchants Group, Shandong Marine Group, China LNG Shipping, Mitsui OSK, COSCO, Shandong Marine Energy, MISC Berhad, K-Line and Hyundai Glovis.

The new QatarEnergy LNG tankers, a mix of QC-Max and Q-Flex LNG vessels, are being built in China and South Korea. 43 of the vessels will be chartered-in by affiliate QatarEnergy Trading, to transport the portion of Qatar’s gas exports that are not covered by long-term supply contracts. This will reinforce its aspirations to become a leading global LNG trader.

The largest shipowner in the newbuild program is Nakilat, formally titled the Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (QPSC). Nakilat is a publically-quoted company headquartered in Doha, whose shareholdings are dominated by the Qatari state and members of the royal family, but which also includes a broad spectrum of Qatari institutional as well as private shareholders. Qatari shareholders and pension funds hold about 40% of the company. With a targeted annual dividend yield of 5%, this means that a cross-section of Qatari society is benefitting from Nakilat and Qatari gas earnings, and which by sharing out wealth and prosperity also has a political stability dividend. It is a model being replicated in Oman, where Asyad plans to float an initial 20% of its shares via an IPO on the local Muscat Securities Market, with a block of shares reserved for Omani institutional and private investors.

Nakilat also operates the floating storage regasification unit FSRU Exquisite, stationed in a channel of the Indus River east of Karachi. It also owns the specialist Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard at Ras Laffan, and is tied into Milaha, the Qatari logistics company, via a shareholding.

Canadian and European Ports Increase Cooperation on Energy Transition

Canada and a section of major European ports have announced further steps in their collaboration in energy transition. Last week, Canada’s Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Anita Anand announced an investment of up to $17 million for the Halifax Port Authority. Part of this funding includes $15 million for development of the Halifax- Hamburg green shipping corridor.

Halifax and Hamburg ports signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to establish a green shipping corridor back in 2022. With the funding now available, Halifax will prepare for the green transition by establishing a hydrogen production facility, electrifying port equipment to reduce emissions and launching an incentive program to shift freight traffic from road to rail. In addition, the port will ready bunkering facilities to accommodate and refuel alternative fuel-powered vessels.

“Transport Canada’s Green Corridor investment will help to competitively position the Port of Halifax for the future. Around the world, there is interest to decarbonize shipping. The awarded funding will help fund feasibility work, assessments, new equipment and workforce development here at the port,” said Fulvio Fracassi, CEO of Halifax Port Authority.

The remaining $2 million will go into financing the Ship to Shore Crane infrastructure project. This is targeted at expanding terminal capacity and boost efficiency when servicing larger vessels at the Port of Halifax.

Meanwhile, the European North Sea Port has strengthened trade and energy cooperation with five Canadian ports, located in the south west region of the country. These include Montreal, Quebec, Saguenay, Sept-Îles and Trois-Rivières ports. This initiative is expected to improve connectivity of supply chains between the Saguenay- St. Lawrence maritime corridor and the North Sea corridor. In addition, the ports pledged to collaborate and achieve results together in areas such as decarbonization and knowledge transfer.

“Canada is North Sea Port’s fourth most important trading partner in terms of cargo throughput. Our location in western Europe is of great strategic importance for cooperation with these five Canadian ports,” said Maarten den Dekker, the Chief Sustainability Officer of North Sea Port.

Baltic Anchor-Drag Incident May Have Also Hit a Russian Telecom Cable

Tanker Eagle S, detained in the Baltic on Christmas Day after a suspected subsea sabotage attack (Finnish Border Guard)

After four serious subsea cable damage incidents in little more than a year, NATO's Baltic members are alert to the risk of possible sabotage attacks sponsored by Russia's intelligence agencies, and have increased their maritime security efforts in response. But Russian cables have also been damaged, according to Russian state communications company Rostelecom. Over the weekend, the cable operator told state news outlet TASS that "some time ago," one of its links under the Baltic was cut "as a result of external influences."

The company confirmed that repairs to the cable are currently under way, and the cable ship Sivuch is on scene for the work. As the location is within the Finnish EEZ, a Finnish Coast Guard patrol vessel is on scene and monitoring the work.

Finnish outlet YLE reports that Rostelecom informed Finland's government of the outage on December 27, two days after the tanker Eagle S dragged anchor and severed multiple Finnish subsea cables in the same area. Eagle S was boarded by Finnish police and detained, and nine members of her crew are under investigation.

Open-source analyst Auonsson noted that the current AIS location of the repair ship Sivuch aligns with Eagle S' trackline on the day of the casualty voyage - as well as the charted location of the Baltika subsea comms cable, which connects St. Petersburg with the exclave of Kaliningrad.

The Baltika cable may have also been damaged previously in the Newnew Polar Bear anchor-drag incident in October 2023.

After Evacuating Tartus, Russian Flotilla Leaves Mediterranean

Sparta II (file image courtesy Portuguese Navy)

A Russian military convoy carrying equipment from the naval base at Tartus has exited the Strait of Gibraltar, answering the question of whether Moscow would be repatriating the military gear it had deployed to Syria over the past decade.

In early December, U.S.-designated terror group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, driving Assad's Russian military backers to retreat to Tartus, home of the only Russian naval base in the Mediterranean. HTS did not attack Russian forces, even though Russia had bombarded HTS and its allies for most of Syria's 13-year civil war, but the Islamist group did cancel Russia's 49-year operating lease on the commercial portion of the seaport.

As HTS advanced, Russian Navy's Mediterranean Flotilla left Tartus en masse and took up station off the coast. In January, after weeks of negotiation, the military cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II entered the port and backloaded large quantities of military equipment and containerized cargo that had been staged on the pier. As Moscow and HTS continued high-level talks on the future of Russia's presence in Syria, the ships departed for an unknown destination - prompting speculation about possible new basing arrangements for the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean.

Whether Russia secures an alternative base site from another friendly government remains to be seen, but this convoy - and its naval escorts, the remaining warships of Russia's Mediterranean Flotilla - appears to be headed home. Sparta and Sparta II exited the Strait of Gibraltar over the weekend, heading north towards Russia's ports in the Baltic. Given Russia's need for equipment on the battlefield, their cargoes are likely destined for the front line in Ukraine.

Tanker Suffers Engine Room Explosion at Russian Port of Ust-Luga

A tanker full of fuel oil sustained an explosion and may have partially sunk at the pier at the key Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga, according to Russian sources.

Security services-linked channel Baza reports that the tanker Koala was preparing to depart Ust-Luga in the early hours of Sunday morning when she suffered an engine room explosion. Three separate blasts were reported as the vessel was preparing to depart, and the 24 crewmembers abandoned ship onto the pier.

The engine room flooded, and the tanker settled slowly by the stern until it made contact with the bottom, Baza reported The majority of the ship remains afloat, and at present no pollution has been reported. None of the crewmembers were injured.

Official reports have presented conflicting information. Russia's Marine and River Transport Agency reports that the tanker is not in danger of sinking and that its cargo tanks are undamaged. According to the regional governor of Leningrad, the explosions were a "man-made incident" during engine startup, and the tanker remains securely moored at the pier. The cause of the casualty is under investigation.

Koala is a Turkish-owned, Cypriot-managed Suezmax of 160,000 dwt capacity. She is 22 years old, past the typical retirement age for a crude oil tanker, and has changed her flag state four times in the past year. Her port state control inspection record shows infrequent checks, but no recent deficiencies.

The blast was the second major casualty of the weekend in Russia. On Saturday, the Chinese bulker An Yang 2 ran aground on a rocky shoreline off Sakhalin in the Russian Far East.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Sunday that Finland is monitoring the situation and has put its oil spill response capabilities on alert as a precautionary measure.

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