Black Sea blaze: ‘Kairos’ tanker hit by possible mine

By Admin

29 Nov, 2025

A major maritime scare unfolded in the Black Sea on Friday after the tanker Kairos caught fire following what authorities believe may have been an external explosion   potentially a sea mine. The incident occurred approximately 28 nautical miles off Türkiye’s coast, the country’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure confirmed.

A Flagless Tanker Engulfed in Flames
The tanker, which was operating without valid flag registration, was sailing in ballast on its way to Russia’s Novorossiysk port when the crew reported a sudden impact. All 25 seafarers aboard were reported safe, with Turkish rescue teams immediately dispatched to evacuate the crew and secure the vessel. Officials stated that the situation continues to be closely monitored.

Explosion Reported Near Bosphorus Waters
According to Reuters, citing information from shipping agency Tribeca, the fire originated in the engine room after an explosion when the Kairos was roughly 52 miles north of the Bosphorus Strait. Early assessments suggest the vessel may have struck a mine a growing hazard in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. There are fears the tanker could sink if structural damage worsens.

A Vessel Operating in the Shadows
In a striking revelation, maritime intelligence analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann of Windward AI disclosed that Kairos was recently removed from the Gambian ship registry along with 71 other vessels for fraudulently issued certificates.
“So this vessel is flagless, stateless, and any insurance and class (if it has any) is invalidated by the fact that it’s falsely purporting to fly the flag of Gambia,” Bockmann stated on X.

She further cautioned that, although the tanker was in ballast   reducing the risk of a major spill   the incident reflects a larger, growing concern.
“I’ve long maintained the dark fleet is an accident waiting to happen and incidents like this are but a harbinger of what is to come,” she added.

Bosphorus Traffic Unaffected
Despite the dramatic fire and explosion, shipping movements through the Bosphorus Strait remained unaffected. Tribeca confirmed that maritime traffic continued normally, a relief for commercial operators in one of the world’s busiest and most strategic waterways.

The Dark Fleet Problem
The term “dark fleet” refers to vessels that operate outside international regulatory oversight, often used to evade sanctions. These ships frequently lack proper insurance, classification, and safety certification   making them high-risk actors in global waters. Incidents involving such vessels raise alarms not only for the safety of seafarers but also for the environment and maritime stability.

A Warning Sign for Global Shipping
The Kairos blaze has once again intensified scrutiny on unregulated vessels traversing conflict-sensitive regions. As mine risks persist in the Black Sea and the dark fleet continues to expand, maritime experts warn that such incidents may become more common unless global oversight is strengthened.