- A Chevron-chartered tanker, the Yasa Polaris, was hit by a drone near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at Novorossiysk.
- The vessel operator reported no visible hull damage, no crew injuries, and no pollution or environmental impact.
- The incident highlights ongoing security risks in the Black Sea energy corridor.
A Chevron-chartered tanker was struck by a drone while operating near the CPC terminal at Novorossiysk on Monday, operator Yasa Tanker said. The Yasa Polaris, a vessel used in Kazakh oil exports, was hit but sustained no visible hull damage, and there were no reports of crew injuries or environmental harm. Following the incident, the tanker departed the area and proceeded to a safe port.
Chevron confirmed the safety of all crew and the vessel's seaworthiness. According to a spokesperson for the energy major, “We are grateful that there were no injuries and the ship remains fully operational.” Yasa Tanker, reached for comment, declined to provide further details on the drone's origin or the exact trajectory of the attack.
The attack near the CPC terminal, a critical conduit for Kazakh crude to global markets, underscores the heightened security risks in the Black Sea. Drone strikes on energy infrastructure have become more frequent, with insurers closely monitoring the region. “Without a sustained security guarantee, the corridor will see increased premiums and potential delays,” a shipping analyst noted.
This incident follows a pattern of drone activity targeting oil infrastructure in the area, though most have caused limited disruptions. The Yasa Polaris was able to continue operations, but the event is likely to renew calls for stronger maritime defenses. For now, CPC operations appear unaffected, but the fragility of the route remains a concern for global oil supply dynamics.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the incident. It occurred on Monday, not Tuesday.