On Thursday 5th October, 2023, the Turkish built, owned and flagged (TUR) general cargo ship KAFKAMETLER underway in the Black Sea sailing to Ukraine’s Izmail port did not sustain damage from a mine explosion.
Port Authority reported that an explosion occurred 15-20 meters astern of the 88 metre long ship while she was underway off the coast of Sulina Port, Romania. The ship continued sailing to her destination to deliver cargo following checks and there was no evidence that the explosion was caused by a mine. Maritime sources told Reuters on Thursday that the vessel had hit a sea mine and sustained minor damage, although the crew was safe.
The vessel’s Istanbul-based operator Kafkametler Maritime said the vessel was currently on her way to Izmail port and ship congestion in the Danube channel meant that she was moving slower. The company added that the crew were safe and the vessel did not need any repairs.
The vessel’s captain said separately in a statement that while the cause of the blast was not clear, the explosion appeared to have been caused by a bottom mine in the Black Sea.
All images of KAFKAMETLER goes back to March, 2021 whilst entering Grand Harbour, Malta.
