NURKEZ: A Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Out of Control in the Red Sea

he NURKEZ (IMO: 9253325) is a crude oil tanker sailing under the Panamanian flag. With an overall length (LOA) of 248 meters and a width of 43.03 meters, this ship has recently become the focus of an international controversy.

Links to the "Russian Shadow Fleet"

According to a Greenpeace report, the NURKEZ is identified as part of the so-called "Russian Shadow Fleet." This term refers to a group of unsanctioned tankers, older than 15 years, that have repeatedly exported oil from Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. These ships often operate without adequate liability insurance to cover damages caused by potential accidents or oil spills. The lack of such guarantees represents a significant environmental risk and a potential hazard for marine and coastal economies.

Emergency in the Red Sea

On January 10, 2025, at 12:00 UTC, the NURKEZ was reported out of control in the Red Sea, according to data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The ship has been unmaneuverable for at least 24 hours, creating concerns about navigational safety and the risk of accidental oil spills.

The last port visited by the ship, as reported by AIS data, was the Sika oil terminal in India, with departure occurring on December 13, 2024, at 04:46 UTC. This means the tanker has been sailing for 36 days, an extremely long period that may have contributed to technical or operational issues.

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