ALMATY, Jan 14 (NNN-KNA) – Two tankers, designated to load Kazakh oil, came under drone attacks yesterday, in the Black Sea, near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, KazMunayGas (KMG), and the country’s Energy Ministry reported.
One of the tankers, Matilda, chartered by KMG’s subsidiary Kazmortransflot, was scheduled to be loaded with Kazakh oil on Jan 18, when a drone strike caused an explosion on board the vessel, without subsequent combustion. No crew members were injured, according to KMG.
According to a preliminary assessment, the vessel remains seaworthy, and no signs of serious structural damage were detected during the initial inspection.
Another tanker, Delta Harmony, was also attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle, while waiting to load. A fire broke out as a result of the incident, but was promptly extinguished.
At the time of the incident, loading of crude oil into the vessel had not yet commenced, and the cargo tanks were empty, according to the operational headquarters.
No damage was caused to Kazakhstan’s export resources, the Energy Ministry said. The authorities are coordinating with KMG and shipowners, to ensure the safety of logistics chains and the continuity of export supplies.– NNN-KNA