A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria following an engine room explosion, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. Two crew members remain missing, while 14 others have been rescued and taken to Spain.
The vessel, built in 2009, was operated by Oboronlogistika, a company affiliated with the Russian Defense Ministry’s military construction operations. The ship was en route to the Russian port of Vladivostok, carrying two massive port cranes and parts for new icebreakers, according to the company’s earlier statement.
Rescue and Investigation Efforts
Spanish rescue teams, including a Spanish Navy vessel, played a key role in evacuating the crew to the port of Cartagena. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, and both Oboronlogistika and its subsidiary, SK-Yug, which owns the ship, have declined to comment on the incident.
Unverified video footage, published by Russia’s life.ru, showed the Ursa Major heavily listing to its starboard side, with the bow significantly lower in the water. The footage also captured the two cranes strapped to the deck, consistent with the ship’s cargo manifest.
Ship’s Journey
Ship tracking data from LSEG shows the vessel departed from St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 11, with a scheduled arrival in Vladivostok on January 22. Despite having previously called at the Syrian port of Tartous, the Ursa Major did not indicate any stops before its intended destination in Russia’s Far East.
The ship’s last recorded signal was at 5:04 p.m. ET on Monday, just before the explosion occurred in the Mediterranean.
Background
The Ursa Major, formerly known as Sparta III, was part of Oboronlogistika’s fleet used for transporting specialized equipment for Russia’s defense and infrastructure projects. The incident raises questions about the safety and maintenance protocols of vessels under the company’s management.
Spanish authorities are coordinating efforts to locate the two missing crew members, while investigations into the explosion and subsequent sinking are underway.
