Sabotage at sea. The investigation into the explosion of the Maltese-flagged tanker Seajewel—occurring two weeks ago off the coast of Savona, in the west part of the northern Italian region of Liguria—has grown increasingly complex.
- Authorities are now scrutinising the origin of the crude oil it was transporting amid contradictory declarations and clues suggesting a network of international smuggling and sabotage.
Uncertain origins. Initial enquiries by the Genoa prosecutor’s office opened a file based on the hypothesis of a shipwreck aggravated by terrorism.
- As the tanker’s commander has claimed that the crude oil is of Algerian origin, ongoing analyses aim to determine whether the material might instead originate from other regions, particularly Russia.
- A confirmed Russian origin would amount to a clear breach of the embargo imposed after the Ukraine conflict outbreak, carrying potential penalties of up to six years’ imprisonment.
Explosive evidence. Investigators are delving into the type of explosive devices used in the attack.
- Fragments of two ordnances discovered along the ship’s keel have been sent to the scientific unit in Rome for composition analysis.
- Preliminary findings by bomb experts and specialised divers indicate that the first explosion dislodged the second device, limiting structural damage to the vessel.
A ghost from the past. Further complicating matters is the striking similarity with the attack on the tanker Grace Ferrum.
- This vessel, which departed from Ust-Luga in Russia on 12 January and was later attacked in Libyan waters, suffered an assault using magnetic bombs affixed to its hull—an identical method to that seen on the Seajewel.
- The Grace Ferrum incident is viewed as part of a broader series of strikes against ships allegedly linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which is reportedly engaged in smuggling crude oil from Moscow into Europe.
New developments. As the investigation unfolds, investigators are analysing surveillance footage to trace the movements of the suspected commando behind the attack.
- In the meantime, the Seajewel has departed Liguria, heading for repairs to the Greek port of Piraeus, while authorities maintain strict confidentiality on the ongoing inquiry.
- Adding another layer of intrigue, Seajewel—operated by the Greek company Thenamaris—had already been placed on the Ukrainian blacklist for suspected illicit trafficking of Russian crude.
- Chemical analyses of the oil, the reconstruction of the vessel’s route and a thorough review of its certificates of origin and onboard documentation are expected to shed further light on potential criminal liabilities, including orchestrated sabotage by groups opposing the embargo.
