The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank early on December 24, 2024, following a catastrophic explosion in its engine room, raising questions about safety regulations and the ship's controversial cargo.
The incident took place between the coastlines of Spain and Algeria, where the Ursa Major, carrying 16 Russian crew members, issued a distress call approximately 105 kilometers off Almeria as bad weather worsened. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the ship's sinking and reported two crew members missing, with 14 others successfully rescued and transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena.
According to reports, the explosion occurred during the ship's voyage, which began on December 11 from St. Petersburg. The Ursa Major was on its way to Vladivostok, carrying port cranes and hatches for icebreakers. This mission, as stated by its operator Oboronlogistika, is tied to military and logistical support for the Russian Ministry of Defense. The cargo had also drawn scrutiny because of allegations it was involved in transporting military supplies, particularly with the ship's history of operations across contentious geopolitical areas.
The Russian Investigative Committee has opened inquiries focusing on possible safety violations leading to the explosion. An officer on board had reported significant tilting of the ship prior to the disaster, and the vessel ceased transmitting its Automatic Identification System signal just before it sank.
This tragic event, set against the backdrop of deteriorated diplomatic relations and current sanctions against Russia, has been highlighted by analysts as potentially damaging for the country's logistic operations, particularly involving its ambitions within the Arctic and Middle East regions. The Ursa Major was primarily known for its military logistics, including missions associated with the war effort and naval operations.
Experts and maritime analysts are raising alarms concerning the reliability and upkeeping of Russian naval vessels, pointing to previous incidents like the Sparta IV, another Russian cargo ship, which faced navigational failures days prior to the Ursa Major's distress.
While the Russian government has yet to fully clarify the reasons behind the voyage's secrecy, speculation has mounted over whether the ship’s official planned destination, Vladivostok, was merely a cover for transporting military equipment from Syria back to Russia. The Ukrainian intelligence service suggested this route might point to additional covert military logistics maneuvers.
Adding to the mystery of this sinking is the urgency with which rescue and investigation operations were deployed, raising more questions about maritime security protocols involved with significant cargo vessels of this nature.
Rescue operations included contributions from both Spanish naval forces and Russian military assets, emphasizing the strain and coordination challenges present amid increased vigilance over maritime activities involving Russian ships.
There remains widespread concern over the potential environmental impact resulting from the submerged cargo, and maritime authorities are on heightened alert for any subsequent debris and navigational hazards. Ongoing investigations are likely to remain complex, as they involve multiple jurisdictions, reflecting the tensions of modern geopolitics.
This incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the challenges faced by maritime logistics amid global tensions, and the sinking of the Ursa Major could have lasting repercussions on international shipping routes, especially those controlled or operated by parties involved in military engagements.