Bockmann : Mersin isn't sanctioned, and the beneficial owner is known 

 The oil tanker "Mersin", belonging to the Turkish company Beşiktaş Denizcilik, was reportedly the victim of an attack in Senegalese waters. and according to information relayed by journalist Ayoba Faye Press sources reported that ship the ship, carrying 30,000 tons of fuel, had been stranded off the coast of Senegal for nearly two months

The same sources stated that the tanker was unable to dock at the Port of Dakar due to a draft exceeding the permitted limit, forcing it to remain at sea. A risk of pollution has been raised, as the engine room is reportedly taking on water.

In response to the situation, an emergency meeting was reportedly held with the relevant authorities. Experts are currently attempting to mitigate the damage while Senegalese oil companies, including Elton and Touba Oil, take the necessary steps to transfer the half-million barrels of fuel on board. according SENE News report Where reports confirmed the oil tanker "Mersin" departed from the Russian port of Taman.

It is note worthy that Seneweb, on the night of November 27-28, 2025, Senegalese authorities were alerted to a major technical incident aboard the oil tanker "Mersin," which was anchored off the coast of Dakar. The crew reported water entering the engine room, posing a risk to the vessel and its surroundings.

A crisis management team was immediately activated under the supervision of HASSMAR, the maritime safety authority, in coordination with the Senegalese Navy, the National Maritime Affairs Agency, and the Port Authority of Dakar, to manage the situation and prevent any further danger.

Crew Rescue 

Thanks to the rapid intervention of the Port of Dakar's maritime resources, including tugboats and specialized teams, the entire crew was rescued. No injuries were reported. Simultaneously, the Senegalese Navy dispatched a vessel to the area to support the operations and assess the situation.

Environmental Risk Prevention

 Maritime authorities have made pollution prevention their top priority. Experts are assessing technical solutions to stabilize the vessel and seal any leaks. Fuel disposal procedures are also being studied to minimize any risk at the source. A floating boom is being deployed around the "MERSIN" to contain any potential oil spill.All stakeholders remain committed to ensuring the safety of human lives, protecting the vessel, and preserving the marine environment. Regular updates will be provided to the public and the media on the evolving situation.

An undated video

It is noteworthy that  an undated video has emerged of another Russia-trading tanker in distress, Mersin (IMO 9428683) off the coast of Senegal.(https://lnkd.in/eDBh22_b) Mersin is a Panama-flagged, medium range product tanker that has been long engaged in shipping refined products from Russia to Africa and South America .AIS shows the tanker has been at anchor off Dakar since late September with last signal on November 23.While News of this casualty comes directly after Ukraine’s security service revealed it used Sea Baby naval drones to strike two of Russia’s flagged

Analysis Bockmann on LinkedIn

 On the other hand Michelle Wiese Bockmann  a maritime intelligence analyst, expert in the 'shadow fleet', deceptive shipping practices and legal/security implications. 25 years experience writing about commodities shipping and tanker-tracking across 3 continents posted a comment via here account on LinkedIn  indicated speculation about Mersin and sabotage is understandable and whether this casualty is related is unclear, although questions do need to be asked.She added Mersin isn't sanctioned, and the beneficial owner is known (a Turkish company with a Russia-trading fleet in G7 price cap-compliant trades).

Related : Ukraine claims responsibility for attack targeting two Russian oil tankers off the coast of Türkiy

Five vessels have been hit by unexplained blasts this year

She emphasized via her analysis that News of this casualty comes directly after Ukraine’s security service revealed it used Sea Baby naval drones to strike two of Russia’s flagless, sanctioned shadow fleet crude tankers in the Black Sea on Friday: Virat and Kairos. Kairos is now at risk of sinking.

Ukraine's focus on Friday was falsely flag ships, which reduces diplomatic blow-back for an attack on a merchant ship, while Mersin – in floating storage off Senegal for several months -- is shipping refined products not crude. But then who can forget that five vessels have been hit by unexplained blasts this year, with the common denominator they had called at Russia? Vilamoura (Libya 27/6), Grace Ferrum (Libya, early February), SeaJewel (15/2 Italy), Seacharm (15/1 Turkey) and Koala (9/2, Russia).

She said : US sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil have made oil flows darker. Add to this the new security risk and dangers posed by Ukraine’s latest actions to the broader fleet. Shadow fleet ships that are false flagged, especially those just deleted by Gambia’s maritime administration (pictured below) were targeted. They are sailing all around the world.

#Michelle Wiese Bockmann ,#The oil tanker "Mersin", #Beşiktaş Denizcilik ,#Port of Dakar , #Shadow fleet ships #Virat  #Kairos.#Koala