Muscat: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended oil loading today after two tankers were attacked off the Russian Black Sea coast.
According to Oman News Agency, the consortium stated that the tankers Asia and NISSOS IOS were struck during loading operations. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported among its employees or contractors. The consortium also confirmed that there was no oil spill, though it did not disclose who was responsible for the attack.
This incident follows a significant increase in strikes by both Russia and Ukraine on vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov last week. The ongoing conflict has heightened tensions in the region, affecting maritime operations.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium operates a 1,510-kilometre pipeline that connects Kazakhstan's Caspian oilfields to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. Oil loaded at Novorossiysk is then transported by tankers to global markets. The consortium is responsible for handling about 80 percent of Kazakhstan's oil exports, making it a crucial player in the global oil supply chain.