The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship, sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion. Two crew members are missing, while 14 were rescued, according to the Russian foreign ministry.
Explosion Triggers Tragic Sinking
On December 23, the Ursa Major suffered an engine room explosion while sailing between Spain and Algeria. The ship, built in 2009, belonged to Oboronlogistika, a company linked to Russia’s defense ministry. Spain’s maritime rescue service received a distress call when the ship was 57 miles off Almería. Despite swift rescue efforts involving two vessels and a helicopter, two crew members remain unaccounted for. The 14 surviving crew members were safely evacuated to Cartagena, Spain. Unverified video footage showed the vessel listing heavily before it sank.
Cargo Details and Military Connections
The ship carried two giant port cranes and empty containers, heading to Vladivostok, according to its owner Oboronlogistika. The company, along with the Ursa Major, has faced U.S. sanctions since 2022 due to ties with Russian military operations. The ship’s tracking data showed its departure from St. Petersburg on December 11. Although it previously docked at Tartous, Syria, the ship’s listed destination was Vladivostok. A Russian warship later took over rescue operations near the sinking site.
Broader Maritime Tensions
Separately, Ukraine’s intelligence service, HUR, reported that another Russian cargo ship, Sparta, experienced technical issues off Portugal. After resolving the problem, the Sparta reportedly continued toward Syria to collect military supplies. Although HUR provided these claims, independent verification remains pending.
The Ursa Major incident highlights the risks facing maritime operations amid geopolitical tensions. Investigations by Russian and Spanish authorities aim to uncover the cause of the explosion and ensure maritime safety.