Storm-Driven Tanker Wreck Threatens Turkish Coast After Black Sea Attack
A 49,990 dwt product tanker, struck by a Ukrainian drone in August, ran aground in Cilingoz Nature Park.
Turkish authorities are responding to another abandoned vessel that ran aground this week, driven ashore by severe storms in the Black Sea. The Grace Romavictor, a 49,990-ton product tanker, was left stranded in Cilingoz Nature Park, northwest of Istanbul, after breaking free from its tug during extreme weather.
The incident occurred on Monday as winds reaching 50 mph battered the region, causing rough seas and flooding in parts of Istanbul. The Athletic, a 571-ton tug registered in Cameroon, was towing the tanker when the tow line snapped under the strain. Unable to regain control, the tug retreated to the port of Igneada, leaving the Grace Romavictor adrift before it washed ashore.
The tanker, built in 2012 and measuring 183 meters in length, had been abandoned after a Ukrainian drone strike on August 31 near Novorossiysk. While the crew was safely evacuated, the vessel remained unmanned until the storm pushed it onto Turkish shores. It is unclear whether the tanker was being towed for recycling or another purpose.
Rising Threat of Abandoned Vessels in the Black Sea
The grounding of the Grace Romavictor is the latest in a series of maritime hazards linked to the ongoing conflict in the region. Just last week, Bulgarian authorities reported that the abandoned dry bulk carrier Emil had drifted within 40 nautical miles of Cape Shabla, near the Romanian border. A salvage tug eventually secured the vessel and moved it away from the coastline.
Bulgaria faced a similar situation last December when the tanker Kairos, damaged in a Black Sea attack, drifted dangerously close to its shores. Authorities managed to tow it to a sheltered anchorage, though reports later indicated oil leaks before a buyer could remove it.
Turkish officials are now assessing the Grace Romavictor for environmental risks. Initial surveys found no oil leaks, and the vessel is believed to be mostly empty. However, the Istanbul Regional Port Authority is organizing a salvage operation to remove the hulk before it poses further danger.
As the conflict continues, abandoned vessels like these are becoming an increasing hazard in the Black Sea, threatening both navigation and the environment.
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