Mysterious Explosion in the Mediterranean: Tanker Belonging to Russia’s Shadow Fleet with One Million Barrels of Oil Suffered an Incident off the Coast of Libya
Recent reports from Ukrainian intelligence and international media shed light on another alarming incident in the Mediterranean Sea, raising concerns about regional stability and global security. A ship named Vilamoura, associated with Russia's shadow fleet, experienced an explosion near the Libyan coast. The event came as a surprise to many analysts and prompted questions about the vessel's origins and purpose. According to information obtained from Ukrainian military intelligence and other sources, on June 27, an explosion occurred in the engine compartment of Vilamoura, currently navigating waters off Libya. The ship was passing from one of the Libyan ports, El-Zuwaytina, located hundreds of kilometers northeast of Libya's territorial waters. The explosion caused no injuries to the crew, and no oil or other hazardous substances leaked into the sea. Despite the incident, the vessel was not destroyed and continues its voyage, being towed by a fire-fighting ship. The vessel is flagged under the Marshall Islands registry and was reportedly loaded with over a million barrels of crude oil. Since the ship frequently transports oil products from Russian ports—most recently observed in April 2025 at the Ust-Luga terminal and in May near Novorossiysk—its activities are closely monitored by intelligence agencies. This supports theories that Vilamoura is involved in covert oil transportation schemes intended to bypass sanctions imposed by Western countries. Owned by the Greek company TMS Tanker Ltd., registered in Marius, Vilamoura now tows the fire-fighting vessel Boka Summit under the Maltese flag to the Laconic Gulf for assessment and repairs. The incident has raised concerns among security and military experts because ships like Vilamoura not only contribute to Russia's war effort against Ukraine but also present emerging threats to Western security. Western countries and the European Union are attempting to combat this issue using sanctions and monitoring efforts, but their effectiveness is questioned. The methods seem insufficient to curb the covert activities of Russia’s shadow fleet. An analytical article titled “Russia Has Started a New ‘War’ and Received an Unexpected Response,” authored by journalist Volodymyr Kravchenko, offers an in-depth analysis of current challenges and the response of the West to these covert shipping schemes, emphasizing the importance of improving international sanctions and enforcement mechanisms.